whelp
the young of a carnivore, as a dog, bear, lion, seal, etc.
a youth, especially an impudent or despised one.
Machinery.
any of a series of longitudinal projections or ridges on the barrel of a capstan, windlass, etc.
any of the teeth of a sprocket wheel.
(of a female dog, lion, etc.) to give birth to (young).
Origin of whelp
1Other words for whelp
Other words from whelp
- whelp·less, adjective
- un·whelped, adjective
Words that may be confused with whelp
- welp, whelp
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for whelp
/ (wɛlp) /
a young offspring of certain animals, esp of a wolf or dog
derogatory a young man or youth
jocular a young child
nautical any of the ridges, parallel to the axis, on the drum of a capstan to keep a rope, cable, or chain from slipping
(of an animal or, disparagingly, a woman) to give birth to (young)
Origin of whelp
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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