n. & v.
--n.
1. a a dog used for hunting, esp. one able to track by scent. b (the hounds) Brit. a pack of foxhounds.
2 colloq. a despicable man.
3 a runner who follows a trail in hare and hounds.
4 a person keen in pursuit of something (usu. in comb.: news-hound).
--v.tr.
1. harass or pursue relentlessly.
2 chase or pursue with a hound.
3 (foll. by at) set (a dog or person) on (a quarry).
4 urge on or nag (a person).
Phrases and idioms:
hound's tongue Bot. a tall plant, Cynoglossum officinale, with tongue-shaped leaves. hound's-tooth a check pattern with notched corners suggestive of a canine tooth. ride to hounds go fox-hunting on horseback.
Derivatives:
hounder n. houndish adj.
Etymology: OE hund f. Gmc