Etymology

From , from "hound", pet-form of unknown origin. In the 16th century, it superseded and was adopted by many continental languages, but its precise origin is one of the greatest unknowns of etymology.

Noun

1. An animal, member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man for thousands of years; occurs in many breeds. Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris.

   The dog barked all night long.

2. A male dog, as opposed to a bitch (a female dog.)
3. A dull, unattractive girl or woman.

   She’s a real dog.

4. A man.

   You lucky dog!

5. A coward

   Come back and fight you dogs!

6. Someone who is morally reprehensible.

   You dirty dog.

   • 1599 — Robert Greene, Alphonsus, King of Aragon (1599). Act 3.

     Blasphemous dog, I wonder that the earth

     Doth cease from renting vnderneath thy feete,

     To swallow vp those cankred corpes of thine.

7. Any of various mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening something, particularly with a tooth-like projection.
8. "A click or pallet adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet-wheel, to restrain the back action; a click or pawl." (See also: ratchet, windlass)

   1897 Universal Dictionary of the English Language, Robert Hunter and Charles Morris, eds., v2 p1700.

9. A metal support for logs in a fireplace.

   The dogs were too hot to touch.

10. A hot dog.
11. Underdog

Synonyms

Canis familiaris, Canis domesticus, Canis familiaris domestic dog, hound, canine bloke (British), chap (British), dude, fellow, guy, man cad, bounder, blackguard, fool, hound, heel, scoundrel click, detent, pawl andiron, firedog, dogiron

• See also Wikisaurus:dog
• See also Wikisaurus:man

Hyponyms

sighthound, retriever, pointer, setter, shepherd, war dog, lapdog, guard dog, terrier

Verb

1. To go after with the intent to catch.
2. To follow in an annoying way, to constantly be affected by.

   The woman cursed him so that trouble would dog his every step.

3. To fasten a hatch securely.

   It is very important to dog down these hatches...

4. To watch, or participate, in sexual activity in a public place, on the pretence of walking the dog; see also dogging.

   I admit that I like to dog at my local country park.

Synonyms

chase, chase after, go after, pursue, tag, tail, track, trail

See also

• bitch
• canine
• cynomorphic
• cynomorphism
• dog-tired
• doggy
• flea bag
• going to the dogs
• hound
• pup, puppy

Usage notes

Sometimes "dog" is used in a jocular sense to mean "not god", as in "dog is my co-pilot"