whippet

[ whip-it, wip- ]

/ ˈwhɪp ɪt, ˈwɪp- /

noun

one of a breed of small, swift dogs resembling a greyhound, used for hunting rabbits and for racing.

Also called whippet tank. a fast, light tank used by the British in World War I.

Nearby words

whiplash, whiplash injury, whipped, whipper-in, whippersnapper, whippet, whipping, whipping boy, whipping cream, whipping post, whipple

Origin of whippet

First recorded in 1490–1500; perhaps alteration of phrase whip it move briskly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for whippet

And she cared for him, along with a whippet named Jason, until she died at age 74 in 1995.
The World’s 12 Richest Dogs|The Daily Beast|June 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Now the score is settled, the Big Dog can finally accept that the whippet is the winner.
Big Dog and the Whippet|Tina Brown|November 3, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Red Kerry was built on the lines of a whippet, but carried the equipment of an Irish terrier.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Long first and second thighs are a sine qua non in the Whippet.
Sporting Dogs|Frank Townend Barton

In all there are about fifty-five dogs, fifty-four of whom are in robust health, the hospital containing one whippet.
The Idler Magazine, Volume III, April 1893|Various
A whippet tank crunched over the wreck and covered the group with its multiple pom-poms.
The Velvet Glove|Harry Harrison
Two chains there were, like double-leashes to a whippet's throat.
Wide Courses|James Brendan Connolly

British Dictionary definitions for whippet

whippet

/ (ˈwɪpɪt) /

noun

a small slender breed of dog similar to a greyhound in appearance

Word Origin for whippet

C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps based on the phrase whip it! move quickly!

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012