■ noun
1》 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 ~ family (Canidae), which includes the wolf, fox, coyote, jackal, and other species.
↘the male of such an animal.
↘( the ~s ) Brit. informal greyhound racing.
2》 informal a contemptible man.
↘ dated a person of a specified kind: you lucky ~!
↘ informal, chiefly N. Amer. a thing of poor quality; a failure.
↘(usu. in phr. turn ~ on ) Austral./NZ informal an informer or traitor.
3》 informal, derogatory an unattractive woman.
4》 used in names of ~fishes, e.g. spur-~ .
5》 a mechanical device for gripping.
6》 ( ~s ) N. Amer. informal feet.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ging , ~ged )
1》 follow closely and persistently.
2》 (of a problem) cause continual trouble for.
3》 ( ~ it ) informal, chiefly N. Amer. act lazily.
4》 grip with a mechanical device.
Phrases
~ eat ~ used to refer to a ruthlessly competitive situation.
a ~ in the manger a person who prevents others from having things that they do not need themselves. [alluding to the fable of the ~ that lay in a manger to prevent the ox and horse from eating the hay.]
~-and-pony show N. Amer. informal an elaborate and ostentatious presentation or event.
a ~'s age N. Amer. informal a very long time.
a ~'s dinner (or breakfast ) Brit. informal a mess.
a ~'s life an unhappy and oppressed existence.
go to the ~s informal deteriorate badly.
not a ~'s chance no chance at all.
put on the ~ N. Amer. informal behave in a pretentious or ostentatious way.
Derivatives
~dom noun
~gish adjective
~like adjective
Origin
OE docga , of unknown origin.