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dogs - 2 dictionary results
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dog

  [dawg, dog] noun, verb, dogged, dog⋅ging.
Use dogs in a Sentence
–noun
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. Compare 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. hot dog.
11. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
12. Machinery.
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. Meteorology. a sundog or fogdog.
18. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
–verb (used with object)
19. to follow or track like a dog, esp. with hostile intent; hound.
20. to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
21. Machinery. to fasten with dogs.
—Idioms
22. 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.
23. go to the dogs, Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
24. lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He maintained that he led a dog's life in the army.
25. let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
26. put on the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.
Origin:
bef. 1050; ME dogge, OE docga

Related forms:
dogless, adjective
doglike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dog   (dôg, dŏg)   
n.  
  1. A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris) related to the foxes and wolves and raised in a wide variety of breeds.
  2. Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.
  3. A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of the fox or a domesticated breed.
  4. Any of various other animals, such as the prairie dog.
  5. Informal
    1. A person: You won, you lucky dog.
    2. A person regarded as contemptible: You stole my watch, you dog.
    3. A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting.
    4. 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).
    5. An investment that produces a low return or a loss.
  6. Slang
    1. A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting.
    2. 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).
    3. An investment that produces a low return or a loss.
  7. dogs Slang The feet.
  8. See andiron.
  9. Slang A hot dog; a wiener.
  10. Any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for gripping or holding heavy objects.
  11. Astronomy A sun dog.
adv.  Totally; completely. Often used in combination: dog-tired.
tr.v.   dogged, dog·ging, dogs
  1. To track or trail persistently: "A stranger then is still dogging us" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
  2. 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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