beagle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small short-legged smooth-coated breed of hound

WordNet

Bea"gle noun
Etymology
OE. begele; perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. & Gael. beag small, little, W. bach. F. bigle is from English.
Definitions
  1. A small hound, or hunting dog, twelve to fifteen inches high, used in hunting hares and other small game. See Illustration in Appendix.
  2. Fig.: A spy or detective; a constable.

Webster 1913