Dogs definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

View all »
Definitions (87)

American Heritage Dictionary (20)

noun A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris) related to the foxes and wolves and raised in a wide variety of breeds.
noun Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.
noun A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of the fox or a domesticated breed.

17 more from this dictionary »

Century Dictionary (57)

A quadruped of the genus Canis, C. familiaris. The origin of the dog is a question most difficult of solution. Some think the breed is derived from the wolf, others affirm it to be from a familiarized jackal; all agree that no trace of it is to be found in a primitive state, the dhole of India and the dingo of Australia being wild descendants from domesticated ancestors. The view now generally taken by naturalists is that the dog is neither a species, in the zoölogical sense, nor even the descendant of any one species modified by domestication, but that the dogs of different parts of the world have a correspondingly various ancestry, from different wild species of the genus Canis, as wolves, foxes, and jackals. This view is supported not only by the enormous differences between dogs, but also by the readiness with which nearly all dogs cross with their wild relatives; and, accordingly, the name Canis familiaris is a conventional rather than a proper zoölogical designation of the dog as a species. No satisfactory classification of the different kinds of dogs has been arrived at, what some naturalists regard as types being regarded by others as mere mongrels. An old classification grouped dogs in three classes, the Celeres, Sagaces, and Pugnaces. Colonel Hamilton Smith groups the domestic dog into six sections: (1) the wolf-dogs, including the Siberian, Eskimo, Newfoundland, Great St. Bernard, sheep-dog, etc.; (2) watch- and cattle-dogs, including the German boar-hound, Danish dog, dog of the North American Indians, etc.; (3) the greyhounds, as the different kinds of greyhound, Irish hound, lurcher, Egyptian street-dog, etc.; (4) the hounds, as the bloodhound, staghound, foxhound, harrier, beagle, pointer, setter, spaniel, springer, cocker, Blenheim dog, poodle, etc.; (5) the curs, including the terrier and its allies; (6) the mastiffs, including the different kinds of mastiff, bulldog, pug-dog, etc. All these are artificial varieties, having comparatively little stability, their distinctive characters being soon lost by reversion to a more generalized type if they are left to interbreed. This tendency to reversion requires to be constantly counteracted by “artificial selection” at the hands of breeders, in order that the several strains may be kept pure, and their peculiarities be perpetuated along the desired lines of specialization. The best-bred dogs, of whatever kind, are those furthest removed from an original or common type of structure. The differences between dogs of all kinds are vastly greater than those found among individuals of any species in a state of nature; so great that, were they not known to be artificial, the dog would represent several different genera of the family Canidœ in ordinary zoological classification. In fact, some genera, based upon actual and constant differences in the dental formula, have been named in order to signalize certain structural modifications which are found to exist, affording an example of the evolution of generic characters as well as of specific differences. These variations extend not only to size and general configuration, character of the pelage, and other outward features, but also to positive osteological and dental peculiarities, more marked probably than those of any other domesticated animals. The corresponding physiological and psychological differences are equally decided, as witnessed in the dispositions and temperaments of dogs, their comparative docility, intelligence, etc., and consequently the uses to which they are or may be put. In the matter of size alone, for example, some toy dogs are tiny enough to stand easily on one of the fore paws of a large dog. Throughout the endless varieties, however, the influence of heredity is witnessed in the readiness with which dogs interbreed with one another, and cross with wolves, foxes, and jackals, bearing fertile progeny in all cases, and the readiness with which they revert to the wild state of their several ancestors. See the names of the several breeds. See also Canidœ and Canis. Now is a dogge, also dere that in a dych lygges. Alliterative Poems (ed. Morris), ii. 1792. Many pretty ridiculous aspersions are cast vpon dogges, so that it would make a dogge laugh to heare and vnder-stand them: as, I haue heard a man say, I am as hot as a dogge, or, as cold as a dogge; I sweat like a dogge (when indeed a dogge never sweats); as drunke as a dogge; hee swore like a dogge; and one told a man once that his wife was not to be beleev'd, for shee would lye like a dogge. John Taylor, The Worlde Runnes on Wheeles (Works, [1630), p. 232. He asks no angel's wings, no seraph's fire; But thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog shall bear him company. Pope, Essay on Man, i. 112.
In distinguishing sex, a male dog, as opposed to bitch; hence sometimes used in composition for the male of other animals, as in dog-fox, dog-ape.
plural Canine quadrupeds in general; the family Canidœ (which see).

54 more from this dictionary »

GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

WordNet (8)

Elsewhere on the web

View all »
Examples (50)

Three horses and four dogs were also found dead at the estate in Maesbrook, 175 miles (280 kilometers) northwest of London. — Top Stories - Google News
Both of their dogs were there, so they are both dog people. — Premiere's Movie News and Views
As we have stated previously, we believe the well-being of the dogs should be at the forefront of these criminal proceedings; Acunto's ruling would have interfered with the adoption proceedings the SPCA was conducting, as well as introduced the possibility of Fong, who allegedly abused and kept the animals in unsafe conditions, regaining custody of the Pomeranians.
Two hours later, another woman called and reported the dogs were at the Verdi exit, so she hurried there. — RGJ.com - Latest News
Look at the stag, he darts from the flares of beaters who stalk him, no time to freeze: the dogs are about him, snouts frothed as they seize his stress-shaking haunch, tumble him, tear at his throat to spatter hot blood. — The Rik Files

More examples »

dogs

View all »
Definitions (87)

American Heritage Dictionary (20)

Century Dictionary (57)

GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

WordNet (8)

Elsewhere on the web

View all »
Examples (50)

Tags

Stats

stop updating
On Twitter

Photos from

Add a related word »
Related

Word Family

Etymologies (0)

Pronunciations
Record your own »

Charts

Recently looked up

Recent Favorites

Recent Pronunciations

dogs

View all » Definitions (87)

American Heritage Dictionary (20)

Century Dictionary (57)

GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

WordNet (8)

Elsewhere on the web

View all » Examples (50)

Tags

Stats

stop updating On Twitter

Photos from

Add a related word » Related

Word Family

Etymologies (0)

Pronunciations Record your own »

Charts

Recently looked up

Recent Favorites

Recent Pronunciations

View all »
Definitions (87)

View all »
Examples (50)

stop updating
On Twitter

Add a related word »
Related

Pronunciations
Record your own »