n. & v.
n. 1 any four-legged flesh-eating animal of the genus Canis, of many breeds domesticated and wild, kept as pets or for work or sport. 2 the male of the dog, or of the fox (also dog-fox) or wolf (also dog-wolf). 3 colloq. a a despicable person. b a person or fellow of a specified kind (a lucky dog). c US & Austral. sl. an informer; a traitor. d sl. a horse that is difficult to handle. 4 a mechanical device for gripping. 5 US sl. something poor; a failure. 6 = FIREDOG. 7 (in pl.; prec. by the) Brit. colloq. greyhound-racing.
v.tr. (dogged, dogging) 1 follow closely and persistently; pursue, track. 2 Mech. grip with a dog. die like a dog die miserably or shamefully. dog-biscuit a hard thick biscuit for feeding dogs. dog-box Austral. sl. a compartment in a railway carriage without a corridor. dog-clutch Mech. a device for coupling two shafts in the transmission of power, one member having teeth which engage with slots in another. dog-collar 1 a collar for a dog. 2 a colloq. a clerical collar. b a straight high collar. dog days the hottest period of the year (reckoned in antiquity from the heliacal rising of the dog-star). dog-eared (of a book etc.) with the corners worn or battered with use. dog-eat-dog colloq. ruthlessly competitive. dog-end sl. a cigarette-end. dog-fall a fall in which wrestlers touch the ground together. dog in the manger a person who prevents others from using something, although that person has no use for it. dog-leg (or -legged) bent like a dog's hind leg. dog-leg hole Golf a hole at which a player cannot aim directly at the green from the tee. dog-paddle n. an elementary swimming-stroke like that of a dog.
v.intr. swim using this stroke. dog-rose a wild hedge-rose, Rosa canina: also called brier-rose. dog's breakfast (or dinner) colloq. a mess. dog's disease Austral. sl. influenza. dog's life a life of misery or harassment. dog's meat horse's or other flesh as food for dogs; carrion. dogs of war poet. the havoc accompanying war. dog's- (or dog-) tail any grass of the genus Cynosurus, esp. c. cristatus, a common pasture grass. dog-star the chief star of the constellation Canis Major or Minor, esp. Sirius. dog's tooth (in full dog's tooth violet) 1 any liliaceous plant of the genus Erythronium, esp. E. dens-canis with speckled leaves, purple flowers, and a toothed perianth. 2 = dog-tooth 2. dog-tired tired out. dog-tooth 1 a small pointed ornament or moulding esp. in Norman and Early English architecture. 2 a broken check pattern used esp. in cloth for suits. dog trials Austral. & NZ a public competitive display of the skills of sheepdogs. dog-violet any of various scentless wild violets, esp. Viola riviniana. go to the dogs sl. deteriorate, be ruined. hair of the dog further drink to cure the effects of drink. like a dog's dinner colloq. smartly or flashily (dressed, arranged, etc.). not a dog's chance no chance at all. put on dog colloq. behave pretentiously. doglike adj.
[ OE docga, of unkn. orig. ]