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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

and·i·ron       (ānd'ī'ərn)  Pronunciation Key  n.   One of a pair of metal supports used for holding up logs in a fireplace. Also called dog; also called regionally dog iron, firedog. [Middle English aundiren, alteration (influenced by Middle English iren, iron) of Old French andier, of Celtic origin.] A number of words that formerly were limited to one region of the U.S. are now used throughout the country. Andiron was once Northern, contrasting with Southern dog iron and fire dog. The Southern terms remain limited to that region, but andiron is now everywhere. Other formerly Northern words that have become national include faucet, contrasting with Southern spigot; frying pan, contrasting with Midland and Upper Southern skillet; and freestone peach, contrasting with clearseed and open peach in parts of the South. Southern words that are now used nationwide include feisty and gutters. See Note at frying pan.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dog       (dôg, dŏg)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris) related to the foxes and wolves and raised in a wide variety of breeds. Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo. A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of the fox or a domesticated breed. Any of various other animals, such as the prairie dog. Informal A person: You won, you lucky dog. A person regarded as contemptible: You stole my watch, you dog. A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting. Something of inferior or low quality: "The President had read the speech to some of his friends and they told him it was a dog" (John P. Roche). An investment that produces a low return or a loss. Slang A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting. Something of inferior or low quality: "The President had read the speech to some of his friends and they told him it was a dog" (John P. Roche). An investment that produces a low return or a loss. dogs Slang The feet. See andiron. Slang A hot dog; a wiener. Any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for gripping or holding heavy objects. Astronomy A sun dog. adv.   Totally; completely. Often used in combination: dog-tired. tr.v.   dogged, dog·ging, dogs To track or trail persistently: "A stranger then is still dogging us" (Arthur Conan Doyle). To hold or fasten with a mechanical device: "Watertight doors and hatches were dropped into place and dogged down to give the ship full watertight integrity" (Tom Clancy). [Middle English dogge, from Old English docga.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dog  (n.)

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dog  (v.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

dog
noun
1.	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; "the dog barked all night"
2.	a dull unattractive unpleasant girl or woman; "she got a reputation as a frump"; "she's a real dog" [syn: frump]
3.	informal term for a man; "you lucky dog"
4.	someone who is morally reprehensible; "you dirty dog" [syn: cad]
5.	a smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll [syn: frank]
6.	a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward [syn: pawl]
7.	metal supports for logs in a fireplace; "the andirons were too hot to touch" [syn: andiron]
verb
1.	go after with the intent to catch; "The policeman chased the mugger down the alley"; "the dog chased the rabbit" [syn: chase]

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

dog

In addition to the idioms beginning with dog, also see coon's (dog's) age; every dog has its day; go to pot (the dogs); hair of the dog; hot dog; in the doghouse; let sleeping dogs lie; put on the dog; rain cats and dogs; see a man about a dog; shaggy dog story; sick as a dog; tail wagging the dog; teach an old dog new tricks; throw to the wolves (dogs); top banana (dog).

Investopedia - Cite This Source - Share This

Dog

One of the four categories (quadrants) of the BCG growth-share matrix that represents the division within a company that has a small market share in a mature industry.

Investopedia Commentary

A dog does not require substantial investment capital however, because it is found within a mature industry, profits returned are minimal and capital allocated to such divisions can be used more effectively elsewhere. But, this is not always the case, as dogs may represent a strategic part of a company regardless of profits.

See also: BCG Growth-Share Matrix, Cash Cow, Loss Leader, Porter's 5 Forces, Problem Child, Star

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dog

Dog\ (d[o^]g), n. [AS. docga; akin to D. dog mastiff, Dan. dogge, Sw. dogg.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadruped of the genus Canis, esp. the domestic dog (C. familiaris).

Note: The dog is distinguished above all others of the inferior animals for intelligence, docility, and attachment to man. There are numerous carefully bred varieties, as the beagle, bloodhound, bulldog, coachdog, collie, Danish dog, foxhound, greyhound, mastiff, pointer, poodle, St. Bernard, setter, spaniel, spitz dog, terrier, etc. There are also many mixed breeds, and partially domesticated varieties, as well as wild dogs, like the dingo and dhole. (See these names in the Vocabulary.)

2. A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch.

What is thy servant, which is but a dog, that he should do this great thing? -- 2 Kings viii. 13 (Rev. Ver. )

3. A fellow; -- used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog. [Colloq.]

4. (Astron.) One of the two constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor, or the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog. Canis Major contains the Dog Star (Sirius).

5. An iron for holding wood in a fireplace; a firedog; an andiron.

6. (Mech.) (a) A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them. (b) An iron with fangs fastening a log in a saw pit, or on the carriage of a sawmill. (c) A piece in machinery acting as a catch or clutch; especially, the carrier of a lathe, also, an adjustable stop to change motion, as in a machine tool.

Note: Dog is used adjectively or in composition, commonly in the sense of relating to, or characteristic of, a dog. It is also used to denote a male; as, dog fox or g-fox, a male fox; dog otter or dog-otter, dog wolf, etc.; -- also to denote a thing of cheap or mean quality; as, dog Latin.

A dead dog, a thing of no use or value. --1 Sam. xxiv. 14.

A dog in the manger, an ugly-natured person who prevents others from enjoying what would be an advantage to them but is none to him.

Dog ape (Zo["o]l.), a male ape.

Dog cabbage, or Dog's cabbage (Bot.), a succulent herb, native to the Mediterranean region (Thelygonum Cynocrambe).

Dog cheap, very cheap. See under Cheap.

Dog ear (Arch.), an acroterium. [Colloq.]

Dog flea (Zo["o]l.), 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.

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

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

Dog lichen (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.

Dog louse (Zo["o]l.), a louse that infests the dog, esp. H[ae]matopinus piliferus; another species is Trichodectes latus.

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

Dog salmon (Zo["o]l.), a salmon of northwest America and northern Asia; -- the gorbuscha; -- called also holia, and hone.

Dog shark. (Zo["o]l.) See Dogfish.

Dog's meat, meat fit only for dogs; refuse; offal.

Dog Star. See in the Vocabulary.

Dog wheat (Bot.), Dog grass.

Dog whelk (Zo["o]l.), any species of univalve shells of the family Nassid[ae], esp. the Nassa reticulata of England.

To give, or throw, to the dogs, to throw away as useless. "Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it." --Shak.

To go to the dogs, to go to ruin; to be ruined.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dog

Dog\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dogged; p. pr. & vb. n. Dogging.] To hunt or track like a hound; to follow insidiously or indefatigably; to chase with a dog or dogs; to worry, as if by dogs; to hound with importunity.

I have been pursued, dogged, and waylaid. -- Pope.

Your sins will dog you, pursue you. --Burroughs.

Eager ill-bred petitioners, who do not so properly supplicate as hunt the person whom they address to, dogging him from place to place, till they even extort an answer to their rude requests. -- South.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dog

frequently mentioned both in the Old and New Testaments. Dogs were used by the Hebrews as a watch for their houses (Isa. 56:10), and for guarding their flocks (Job 30:1). There were also then as now troops of semi-wild dogs that wandered about devouring dead bodies and the offal of the streets (1 Kings 14:11; 16:4; 21:19, 23; 22:38; Ps. 59:6, 14). As the dog was an unclean animal, the terms "dog," "dog's head," "dead dog," were used as terms of reproach or of humiliation (1 Sam. 24:14; 2 Sam. 3:8; 9:8; 16:9). Paul calls false apostles "dogs" (Phil. 3:2). Those who are shut out of the kingdom of heaven are also so designated (Rev. 22:15). Persecutors are called "dogs" (Ps. 22:16). Hazael's words, "Thy servant which is but a dog" (2 Kings 8:13), are spoken in mock humility=impossible that one so contemptible as he should attain to such power.