1. A member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
   "the dog barked all night"; "the domestic dog barked all night";
   - domestic dog, Canis familiaris, dawg [non-standard], doggo [informal], pooch [informal], doggie [informal], doggy [informal], barker [informal], bow-wow [informal]
    
2. A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
   "The dog in the winch mechanism ensured that the heavy load wouldn't slip back down";
   - pawl, detent, click
    
3. A metal support for logs in a fireplace
   "the dog-irons were too hot to touch";
   - andiron, firedog, dog-iron
    
4. [informal] A smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
   "He ordered a hot dog with mustard at the ballpark";
   - frank [US, informal], frankfurter, hotdog, hot dog, wiener [N. Amer, S.Africa], wienerwurst [N. Amer], weenie [N. Amer, informal], wienie [N. Amer, informal]
    
5. [informal] Someone who is morally reprehensible
   "you dirty dog";
   - cad [archaic], bounder [Brit, archaic], blackguard, hound, heel [informal]
    
6. [informal] A boy or man
   "you lucky dog";
   - chap [Brit, informal], fellow, feller [non-standard], fella [informal], lad [informal], gent [informal], blighter [Brit, informal], cuss [informal], bloke [Brit, informal], boyo [UK, Ireland], bucko [informal]
    
7. [offensive, informal] An unfashionable, dowdy, or unattractive person, especially a woman
   "she's a real dog";
   - frump
    
8. A mechanical device for holding, gripping, or fastening something
   "The carpenter used a dog to secure the workpiece"

1. Persistently trouble or plague
   "dogged by reports of shareholder revolt"
    
2. Follow or pursue persistently
   "The detective dogged the suspect's every move"

Derived forms: dogs, dogged, dogging

Type of: canid, canine, catch, disagreeable person, domestic animal, domesticated animal, male, male person, sausage, scoundrel, stop, support, unpleasant person, villain, wurst

Part of: Canis, genus Canis, hot dog, hotdog, rachet [rare], ratch, ratchet, red hot [US, dialect, informal]

Encyclopedia: Dog, Samuel