— dogless , adj. — doglike , adj.
/dawg, dog/ , n. , v. , dogged, dogging .
n.
1. a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
2. any carnivore of the dogfamily Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears. Cf. canid .
3. the male of such an animal.
4. any of various animals resembling a dog.
5. a despicable man or youth.
6. Informal. a fellow in general: a lucky dog.
7. dogs , Slang. feet.
8. Slang.
a. something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
b. an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
9. Slang. an ugly, boring, or crude person.
10. Slang. See hot dog .
11. ( cap. ) Astron. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
12. Mach.
a. any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
b. a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
13. Also called gripper, nipper . Metalworking. a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
14. a cramp binding together two timbers.
15. an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
16. an andiron; firedog.
17. Meteorol. a sundog or fogdog.
18. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
19. go to the dogs , Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
20. lead a dog's life , to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He maintained that he led a dog's life in the army.
21. let sleeping dogs lie , to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
22. put on the dog , Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.
v.t.
23. to follow or track like a dog, esp. with hostile intent; hound.
24. to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
25. Mach. to fasten with dogs.
26. dog it , Informal.
a. to shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job.
b. to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.
[ bef. 1050; ME dogge, OE docga ]