dog : Idioms & Phrases

• a thing of no use or value. 1 Sam. xxiv. 14.

Webster 1913

• an ugly-natured person who prevents others from enjoying what would be an advantage to them but is none to him.

Webster 1913

• noun a powerful doglike mammal of southern and eastern Africa that hunts in large packs; now rare in settled area
  Lycaon pictus; Cape hunting dog; African hunting dog.
  

WordNet

• noun common tick that can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia
  wood tick; Dermacentor variabilis.
  

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• noun violet of eastern North America having pale violet to white flowers
  Viola conspersa.
  

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• noun a watchdog trained to attack on command
  

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• noun small long-bodied short-legged German breed of dog having a short sleek coat and long drooping ears; suited for following game into burrows
  dachshund; dachsie.
  

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• . (Zoöl.) See Dachshund.

Webster 1913

• noun large powerful long-haired black-coated Swiss dog with deep tan or russet markings on legs and white blaze and feet and chest marking; formerly used for draft
  

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• noun a gun dog trained to locate or retrieve birds
  

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• noun tail is black tipped
  Cynomys ludovicianus.
  

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• noun a person of low status
  

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• . (Zoöl.) See Potto.

Webster 1913

• noun a stout lever with a sharp spike; used for handling logs
  peavy; peavey; cant dog.
  

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• noun a powerful doglike mammal of southern and eastern Africa that hunts in large packs; now rare in settled area
  Lycaon pictus; Cape hunting dog; African hunting dog.
  

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• noun a large breed having a smooth white coat with black or brown spots; originated in Dalmatia
  dalmatian; carriage dog.
  

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• like a cat and dog; quarrelsome; inharmonius. "I am sure we have lived a cat and dog life of it." Coleridge.

Webster 1913

• noun a hotdog with chili con carne on it
  

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• noun breed of medium-sized terriers bred in Tibet resembling Old English sheepdogs with fluffy curled tails
  Tibetan terrier.
  

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• noun a large breed having a smooth white coat with black or brown spots; originated in Dalmatia
  dalmatian; carriage dog.
  

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• noun wild dog of northern South America
  crab-eating fox; Dusicyon cancrivorus.
  

WordNet

Cur"tail dog`

Definitions

1. A dog with a docked tail; formerly, the dog of a person not qualified to course, which, by the forest laws, must have its tail cut short, partly as a mark, and partly from a notion that the tail is necessary to a dog in running; hence, a dog not fit for sporting.

   Hope is a curtail dog in some affairs. Shak.

Webster 1913

• . See Curtail dog.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a carriage dog, shaped like a pointer, and having black or bluish spots on a white ground; the coach dog.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), one of a large and powerful breed of dogs reared in Denmark; called also great Dane. See Illustration in Appendix.

Webster 1913

• noun a member of the United States Marine Corps
  shipboard soldier; Marine; leatherneck.
  

WordNet

• noun a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
  git; crumb; stinker; so-and-so; scum bag; rat; rotter; puke; bum; skunk; stinkpot; lowlife.
  
  • only a rotter would do that
  • kill the rat
  • throw the bum out
  • you cowardly little pukes!
  • the British call a contemptible person a `git'

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a male ape.

Webster 1913

Dog" bee`

Definitions

1. A male or drone bee. Halliwell.

Webster 1913

• noun common grass with slender stems and narrow leaves
  velvet bent; brown bent; Agrostis canina; velvet bent grass; Rhode Island bent.
  

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• noun a hard biscuit for dogs
  

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• noun a bite inflicted by a dog
  

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• noun breeding dogs
  

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• (Bot.), a succulent herb, native to the Mediterranean region (Thelygonum Cynocrambe).

Webster 1913

• noun an employee of a municipal pound who is hired to round up stray dogs and cats
  

WordNet

• very cheap. See under Cheap.

Webster 1913

• noun a collar for a dog
  
• noun a stiff white collar with no opening in the front; a distinctive symbol of the clergy
  clerical collar; Roman collar.
  
• noun necklace that fits tightly around a woman's neck
  neckband; choker; collar.
  

WordNet

Dog" day`, Dog"day` (Also<

• Dog day
• Dogday

)

Definitions

1. One of the dog days.

Webster 1913

• noun the hot period between early July and early September; a period of inactivity
  canicular days; canicule.
  

WordNet

Dog" days`

Definitions

1. A period of from four to six weeks, in the summer, variously placed by almanac makers between the early part of July and the early part of September; canicular days; -- so called in reference to the rising in ancient times of the Dog Star (Sirius) with the sun. Popularly, the sultry, close part of the summer. ✍ The conjunction of the rising of the Dog Star with the rising of the sun was regarded by the ancients as one of the causes of the sultry heat of summer, and of the maladies which then prevailed. But as the conjunction does not occur at the same time in all latitudes, and is not constant in the same region for a long period, there has been much variation in calendars regarding the limits of the dog days. The astronomer Roger Long states that in an ancient calendar in Bede (died 735) the beginning of dog days is placed on the 14th of July; that in a calendar prefixed to the Common Prayer, printed in the time of Queen Elizabeth, they were said to begin on the 6th of July and end on the 5th of September; that, from the Restoration (1660) to the beginning of New Style (1752), British almanacs placed the beginning on the 19th of July and the end on the 28th of August; and that after 1752 the beginning was put on the 30th of July, the end on the 7th of September. Some English calendars now put the beginning on July 3d, and the ending on August 11th. A popular American almanac of the present time (1890) places the beginning on the 25th of July, and the end on the 5th of September.

Webster 1913

• noun fecal droppings from a dog
  dog do; dog shit; doggy do.
  

WordNet

• (Arch.), an acroterium. Colloq.

Webster 1913

Dog" fan`cier

Definitions

1. One who has an unusual fancy for, or interest in, dogs; also, one who deals in dogs.

Webster 1913

• noun weedy plant of southeastern United States having divided leaves and long clusters of greenish flowers
  Eupatorium capillifolium.
  
• noun widespread rank-smelling weed having white-rayed flower heads with yellow discs
  stinking mayweed; stinking chamomile; mayweed; Anthemis cotula.
  

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• noun flea that attacks dogs and cats
  Ctenocephalides canis.
  

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• (Zoöl.), a species of flea (Pulex canis) which infests dogs and cats, and is often troublesome to man. In America it is the common flea. See Flea, and Aphaniptera.

Webster 1913

• noun food prepared for dogs
  

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• noun European grass spreading rapidly by creeping rhizomes; naturalized in North America as a weed
  Agropyron repens; quack grass; witchgrass; witch grass; quackgrass; quick grass; couch grass.
  

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• (Bot.), a grass (Triticum caninum) of the same genus as wheat.

Webster 1913

• noun fast-growing evergreen shrub of southeastern United States having arching interlaced branches and racemes of white flowers
  Leucothoe editorum; Leucothoe fontanesiana; switch-ivy; dog hobble.
  

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• noun a stout lever with a sharp spike; used for handling logs
  peavy; peavey; cant dog.
  

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• noun outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
  kennel; doghouse.
  

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• noun someone who prevents you from enjoying something that they themselves have no need for
  

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• barbarous Latin; as, the dog Latin of pharmacy.

Webster 1913

• noun fast-growing evergreen shrub of southeastern United States having arching interlaced branches and racemes of white flowers
  Leucothoe editorum; Leucothoe fontanesiana; switch-ivy; dog hobble.
  

WordNet

• (Bot.), a kind of lichen (Peltigera canina) growing on earth, rocks, and tree trunks, a lobed expansion, dingy green above and whitish with fuscous veins beneath.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a louse that infests the dog, esp. Hæmatopinus piliferus; another species is Trichodectes latus.

Webster 1913

• noun European perennial weedy plant with greenish flowers
  Mercurialis perennis; dog mercury.
  

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• noun an elementary swimming stroke imitating a swimming dog
  

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• noun a public enclosure for stray or unlicensed dogs
  pound.
  
  • unlicensed dogs will be taken to the pound

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• a machine operated by the weight of a dog traveling in a drum, or on an endless track, as for churning.

Webster 1913

• noun a race between dogs; usually an occasion for betting on the outcome
  

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• noun prickly wild rose with delicate pink or white scentless flowers; native to Europe
  Rosa canina.
  

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• (Zoöl.), a salmon of northwest America and northern Asia; the gorbuscha; called also holia, and hone.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) See Dogfish.

Webster 1913

• noun fecal droppings from a dog
  dog do; dog shit; doggy do.
  

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• noun a competitive exhibition of dogs
  

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• noun a sled pulled by dogs
  dog sled; dogsled.
  

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• noun a sled pulled by dogs
  dog sled; dogsled.
  

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• noun the brightest star in the sky; in Canis Major
  Sothis; Sirius; Canicula.
  

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• . See in the Vocabulary.

Webster 1913

• noun a stinkhorn having a stalk without a cap; the slimy gleba is simply plastered on its surface near the apex where winged insects can find it
  Mutinus caninus.
  

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• noun military identification tag worn on a chain around the neck
  
• noun metal plate on a dog collar bearing its registration number
  

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• noun fecal droppings from a dog
  dog do; dog shit; doggy do.
  

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• noun Old World leafy-stemmed blue-flowered violet
  Viola canina; heath violet.
  

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• (Bot.), Dog grass.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of univalve shells of the family Nassidæ, esp. the Nassa reticulata of England.

Webster 1913

• noun a wrench with a handle shaped like a crank
  

WordNet

• noun a poor job; a mess
  dog's breakfast.
  
  • they made a real dog's breakfast of that job

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• noun a poor job; a mess
  dog's breakfast.
  
  • they made a real dog's breakfast of that job

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• meat fit only for dogs; refuse; offal.

Webster 1913

• noun European perennial weedy plant with greenish flowers
  Mercurialis perennis; dog mercury.
  

WordNet

Dog's"-bane` noun

Definitions

1. (Bot.) See Dogbane.

Webster 1913

Dog's"-ear` noun

Definitions

1. The corner of a leaf, in a book, turned down like the ear of a dog. Gray. -- Dog's"-eared` a. Cowper.

Webster 1913

Dog's"-tail grass` noun

Definitions

1. (Bot.) A hardy species of British grass (Cynosurus cristatus) which abounds in grass lands, and is well suited for making straw plait; -- called also goldseed.

Webster 1913

Dog's"-tongue` noun

Definitions

1. (Bot.) Hound's-tongue.

Webster 1913

• noun textile with a pattern of small broken or jagged checks
  houndstooth check; hound's-tooth check; dog's-tooth check; dogstooth check.
  

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• noun perennial woodland spring-flowering plant; widely cultivated
  dogtooth; dogtooth violet.
  

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Dog"-bri`er noun

Definitions

1. (Bot.) The dog-rose.

Webster 1913

• noun its distinctive song is heard during July and August
  harvest fly.
  

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• noun a corner of a page turned down to mark your place
  

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• adjective satellite worn or shabby from overuse or (of pages) from having corners turned down
  eared.
  
  • a somewhat dog-eared duke...a bit run down"-Clifton Fadiman
  • an old book with dog-eared pages

WordNet

Dog"-eared` adjective

Definitions

1. Having the corners of the leaves turned down and soiled by careless or long-continued usage; -- said of a book.

   Statute books before unopened, not dog-eared. Ld. Mansfield.

Webster 1913

Dog"-faced` adjective

Definitions

1. Having a face resembling that of a dog.

Webster 1913

Dog"-fox` noun

Definitions

1. A male fox. See the Note under Dog, n., #2 Sir W. Scott. The Arctic or blue fox; -- a name also applied to species of the genus Cynalopex.

Webster 1913

Dog"-head`ed adjective

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Having a head shaped like that of a dog; -- said of certain baboons.

Webster 1913

Dog"-heart`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Inhuman; cruel. Shak.

Webster 1913

• noun metal supports for logs in a fireplace
  andiron; firedog; dog.
  
  • the andirons were too hot to touch

WordNet

dog"-leg`ged adjective

Definitions

1. (Arch) Noting a flight of stairs, consisting of two or more straight portions connected by a platform (landing) or platforms, and running in opposite directions without an intervening wellhole.

Webster 1913

Dog"-rose` noun

Definitions

1. (Bot.) A common European wild rose, with single pink or white flowers.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having the approximate size of an average dog
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
  exhausted; spent; worn out; played out; fagged; fatigued; worn-out; washed-out.
  
  • the day's shopping left her exhausted
  • he went to bed dog-tired
  • was fagged and sweaty
  • the trembling of his played out limbs
  • felt completely washed-out
  • only worn-out horses and cattle
  • you look worn out

WordNet

Dog"-wea`ry adjective

Definitions

1. Extremely weary. Shak.

Webster 1913

• noun textile with a pattern of small broken or jagged checks
  houndstooth check; hound's-tooth check; dog's-tooth check; dogstooth check.
  

WordNet

• noun a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
  Canis familiaris; dog.
  
  • the dog barked all night

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• (Zoöl.), a dog that will dig in the earth, or enter holes of foxes, etc.

Webster 1913

• noun breed of heavy-coated Arctic sled dog
  husky.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), one of breed of large and powerful dogs used by the Eskimos to draw sledges. It closely resembles the gray wolf, with which it is often crossed.

Webster 1913

• . See Firedog, in the Vocabulary.

Webster 1913

• an iron used, when heated, to warm flip.

Webster 1913

• noun breed of large shepherd dogs used in police work and as a guide for the blind
  German shepherd; German police dog; alsatian.
  

WordNet

• noun breed of large shepherd dogs used in police work and as a guide for the blind
  German shepherd; German police dog; alsatian.
  

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• verb become ruined
  go to pot.
  
  • His business went to pot when economy soured

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• noun a constellation to the southeast of Orion; contains Sirius
  Canis Major.
  

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• noun the largest of the four Swiss breeds
  

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• noun a dog trained to guard property
  watchdog.
  

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• noun a dog trained to guide the blind
  

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• noun a dog trained to work with sportsmen when they hunt with guns
  gun dog.
  

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• noun an alcoholic drink supposed to cure a hangover
  

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• noun dog trained to assist the deaf by signaling the occurrence of certain sounds
  

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• noun someone who performs dangerous stunts to attract attention to himself
  hotdog.
  
• noun a frankfurter served hot on a bun
  red hot; hotdog.
  
• noun a smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
  frank; dog; wiener; wienerwurst; frankfurter; weenie; hotdog.
  

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• verb perform intricate maneuvers while skiing
  

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• noun any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
  hound.
  

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• a dog kept in or about a dwelling house.

Webster 1913

• noun a dog used in hunting game
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the hyena dog.

Webster 1913

• noun a powerful doglike mammal of southern and eastern Africa that hunts in large packs; now rare in settled area
  Lycaon pictus; Cape hunting dog; African hunting dog.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a South African canine animal (Lycaon venaticus), which hunts in packs, chiefly at night. It is smaller than the common wolf, with very large, erect ears, and a bushy tail. Its color is reddish or yellowish brown, blotched with black and white. Called also hunting dog.

Webster 1913

• noun an important dogsled race run annually on the Iditarod Trail
  Iditarod.
  

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• (Zoöl.), a fancy dog with a flowing mane, usually clipped to resemble a lion's mane.

Webster 1913

• noun a constellation to the east of Orion; contains Procyon
  Canis Minor.
  

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• noun an American mint that yields a resinous exudate used especially formerly as an antispasmodic
  blue skullcap; mad-dog skullcap; Scutellaria lateriflora; blue pimpernel.
  

WordNet

• (Bot.), an American herb (Scetellaria lateriflora) formerly prescribed as a cure for hydrophobia.

Webster 1913

• noun an American mint that yields a resinous exudate used especially formerly as an antispasmodic
  blue skullcap; mad-dog skullcap; Scutellaria lateriflora; blue pimpernel.
  

WordNet

• noun breed of toy dogs having a long straight silky white coat
  Maltese; Maltese terrier.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a breed of small terriers, having long silky white hair. The breed originated in Malta.

Webster 1913

• noun European breed of small dog resembling a terrier with dark wiry hair and a tufted muzzle
  affenpinscher; monkey pinscher.
  

WordNet

• noun a breed of very large heavy dogs with a thick coarse usually black coat; highly intelligent dogs and vigorous swimmers; developed in Newfoundland
  Newfoundland.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a breed of large dogs, with shaggy hair, which originated in Newfoundland, noted for intelligence, docility, and swimming powers.

Webster 1913

• a dog that hunts in the night, used by poachers.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a small breed of hounds, used in England for hunting otters.

Webster 1913

• noun ownerless half-wild mongrel dog common around Asian villages especially India
  pariah dog; pie-dog.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a mongrel race of half-wild dogs which act as scavengers in Oriental cities.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a kind of shark found on the South coast of Britain: the tope.

Webster 1913

• noun ownerless half-wild mongrel dog common around Asian villages especially India
  pariah dog; pie-dog.
  

WordNet

• noun any dog trained to assist police especially in tracking
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the loup-loup, or Spitz dog. also just Pomeranian

Webster 1913

• noun an intelligent dog with a heavy curly solid-colored coat that is usually clipped; an old breed sometimes trained as sporting dogs or as performing dogs
  poodle.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) See Zebra wolf, under Zebra.

Webster 1913

• noun any of several rodents of North American prairies living in large complex burrows having a barking cry
  prairie marmot.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a small American rodent (Cynomys Ludovicianus) allied to the marmots. It inhabits the plains west of the Mississippi. The prairie dogs burrow in the ground in large warrens, and have a sharp bark like that of a dog. Called also prairie marmot.

Webster 1913

• noun small compact smooth-coated breed of Asiatic origin having a tightly curled tail and broad flat wrinkled muzzle
  pug.
  

WordNet

• noun ownerless half-wild mongrel dog common around Asian villages especially India
  pariah dog; pie-dog.
  

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• noun small wild dog of eastern Asia having facial markings like those of a raccoon
  Nyctereutes procyonides.
  

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• verb rain heavily
  pelt; rain buckets; stream; pour.
  
  • Put on your rain coat-- it's pouring outside!

WordNet

• noun informal term
  sausage hound.
  

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• noun a man who serves as a sailor
  Jack-tar; tar; old salt; seaman; gob; Jack; seafarer; mariner.
  

WordNet

Sea" dog`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) The dogfish. (b) The common seal.
2. An old sailor; a salt. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• noun (trademark) a guide dog trained to guide a blind person
  

WordNet

• noun a dog that can alert or assist people with seizure disorders
  

WordNet

• a setter. See Setter, n., 2.

Webster 1913

• noun a long rambling joke whose humor derives from its pointlessness
  

WordNet

• noun any of various usually long-haired breeds of dog reared to herd and guard sheep
  sheepdog; sheep dog.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a shepherd dog, or collie.

Webster 1913

• noun any of various usually long-haired breeds of dog reared to herd and guard sheep
  sheepdog; sheep dog.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a breed of dogs used largely for the herding and care of sheep. There are several kinds, as the collie, or Scotch shepherd dog, and the English shepherd dog. Called also shepherd's dog.
• a name of Pan. Keats.

Webster 1913

• noun a small sheepdog resembling a collie that was developed in the Shetland Islands
  Shetland sheepdog; Shetland.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), one of a large breed of dogs having erect ears and the hair of the body and tail very long. It is distinguished for endurance of fatigue when used for the purpose of draught.

Webster 1913

Skit"tle-dog` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) The piked dogfish.

Webster 1913

• noun a dog trained to draw a sled usually in a team
  sled dog.
  

WordNet

• noun a dog trained to draw a sled usually in a team
  sled dog.
  

WordNet

• one of a pair of iron hooks used as part of a sling. See def. 3 (b) above.

Webster 1913

Spitz" dog"

Etymology

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A breed of dogs having erect ears and long silky hair, usually white; -- called also Pomeranian dog, and louploup.

Webster 1913

• noun a dog trained to work with sportsmen when they hunt with guns
  gun dog.
  

WordNet

• . See Court of regard, under Regard.

Webster 1913

• to throw away as useless. "Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it." Shak.

Webster 1913

• to go to ruin; to be ruined.

Webster 1913

• noun a person who is in charge
  head; chief.
  
  • the head of the whole operation

WordNet

• noun any of several breeds of very small dogs kept purely as pets
  toy.
  

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• noun a person who enjoys being in or on the water
  water rat.
  
• noun a dog accustomed to water and usually trained to retrieve waterfowl
  

WordNet

Wa"ter dog`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A dog accustomed to the water, or trained to retrieve waterfowl. Retrievers, waters spaniels, and Newfoundland dogs are so trained.
2. (Zoöl.) The menobranchus.
3. A small floating cloud, supposed to indicate rain.
4. A sailor, esp. an old sailor; an old salt. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• noun North American dogtooth having solitary white flowers with yellow centers and blue or pink exteriors
  white dogtooth violet; blonde lilian; Erythronium albidum.
  

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• noun tail is white tipped
  Cynomys gunnisoni.
  

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• noun any of various undomesticated mammals of the family Canidae that are thought to resemble domestic dogs as distinguished from jackals or wolves
  

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• . (Zoöl.) (a) The mastiff, or shepherd dog, of the Pyrenees, supposed by some authors to be one of the ancestors of the St. Bernard dog. (b) The Irish greyhound, supposed to have been used formerly by the Danes for chasing wolves. (c) A dog bred between a dog and a wolf, as the Eskimo dog.

Webster 1913

• noun any of several breeds of usually large powerful dogs bred to work as draft animals and guard and guide dogs
  

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• noun a labor contract (now illegal) whereby the employee agrees not to join a trade union
  

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