whippet

[whip-it, wip-]

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.

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

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

Word Origin and History for whippet

whippet

small, fast type of dog, c.1600, probably from whip (v.) in the sense of "move quickly" + diminutive suffix -et Used earlier (1540s) in reference to "a brisk, nimble woman."

whippet

noun

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Origin of whippet

Examples from the Web for whippet

whippet

noun

Word Origin for whippet

whippet