- dog
- noun1》 a domesticated carnivorous mammal probably descended from the wolf, with a barking or howling voice, an acute sense of smell, and non-retractile claws. [Canis familiaris.]↘a wild animal resembling this, in particular any member of the dog family (Canidae), which includes the wolf, fox, coyote, jackal, and other species.↘the male of such an animal.↘(the dogs) Brit. informal greyhound racing.2》 informal a contemptible man.↘dated a person of a specified kind: you lucky dog!↘informal, chiefly N. Amer. a thing of poor quality; a failure.↘(usu. in phr. turn dog on) Austral./NZ informal an informer or traitor.3》 informal, derogatory an unattractive woman.4》 used in names of dogfishes, e.g. spur-dog.5》 a mechanical device for gripping.6》 (dogs) N. Amer. informal feet.verb (dogs, dogging, dogged)1》 follow closely and persistently.2》 (of a problem) cause continual trouble for.3》 (dog it) informal, chiefly N. Amer. act lazily.4》 grip with a mechanical device.Phrasesdog eat dog used to refer to a ruthlessly competitive situation.a dog in the manger a person who prevents others from having things that they do not need themselves. [alluding to the fable of the dog that lay in a manger to prevent the ox and horse from eating the hay.]dog-and-pony show N. Amer. informal an elaborate and ostentatious presentation or event.a dog's age N. Amer. informal a very long time.a dog's dinner (or breakfast) Brit. informal a mess.a dog's life an unhappy and oppressed existence.go to the dogs informal deteriorate badly.not a dog's chance no chance at all.put on the dog N. Amer. informal behave in a pretentious or ostentatious way.Derivativesdogdom noundoggish adjectivedoglike adjectiveOriginOE docga, of unknown origin.
English new terms dictionary. 2014.