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wolf at the door

 - 1 dictionary result
wolf   (wŏŏlf)   
n.   pl. wolves (wŏŏlvz)
    1. Either of two carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, especially the gray wolf of northern regions, that typically live and hunt in hierarchical packs and prey on livestock and game animals.

    2. The fur of such an animal.

    3. Any of various similar or related mammals, such as the hyena.

    4. A harshness in some tones of a bowed stringed instrument produced by defective vibration.

    5. Dissonance in perfect fifths on a keyboard instrument tuned to a system of unequal temperament.

  1. The destructive larva of any of various moths, beetles, or flies.

  2. One that is regarded as predatory, rapacious, and fierce.

  3. Slang A man given to paying unwanted sexual attention to women.

  4. Music

    1. A harshness in some tones of a bowed stringed instrument produced by defective vibration.

    2. Dissonance in perfect fifths on a keyboard instrument tuned to a system of unequal temperament.

tr.v.   wolfed, wolf·ing, wolfs
To eat greedily or voraciously: "The town's big shots were ... wolfing down the buffet" (Ralph Ellison).

[Middle English, from Old English wulf; see wkwo- in Indo-European roots.]
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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