whelp
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whelp
(wĕlp, hwĕlp)n.
1. A young offspring of a carnivorous mammal, especially a dog or wolf.
2.
a. A child; a youth.
b. An impudent boy or young man.
3.
a. A tooth of a sprocket wheel.
b. Nautical Any of the ridges on the barrel of a windlass or capstan.
v. whelped, whelp·ing, whelps
v.intr.
To give birth to whelps or a whelp.
v.tr.
To give birth to (whelps or a whelp).
[Middle English, from Old English hwelp.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
whelp
(wɛlp)n
1. (Zoology) a young offspring of certain animals, esp of a wolf or dog
2. derogatory a young man or youth
3. jocular a young child
4. (Nautical Terms) nautical any of the ridges, parallel to the axis, on the drum of a capstan to keep a rope, cable, or chain from slipping
vb
5. (Zoology) (of an animal or, disparagingly, a woman) to give birth to (young)
6. (Physiology) (of an animal or, disparagingly, a woman) to give birth to (young)
[Old English hwelp(a); related to Old High German hwelf, Old Norse hvelpr, Danish hvalp]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
whelp
(ʰwɛlp, wɛlp)n.
1. the young of the dog, or of the wolf, bear, lion, tiger, seal, etc.
2. a youth, esp. one regarded as impudent or reckless; brat.
v.t. 3. (of a female dog, bear, lion, etc.) to give birth to (young).
v.i. 4. (of a female dog, bear, etc.) to give birth to young.
[before 900; (n.) Middle English; Old English hwelp, c. Old Saxon hwelp, Old High German (h)welf, Old Norse hvelpr]
whelp′less, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
whelp
Past participle: whelped
Gerund: whelping
Imperative |
---|
whelp |
whelp |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | whelp - young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf young mammal - any immature mammal puppy - a young dog |
Verb | 1. | whelp - birth; "the dog whelped" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
whelp
nounRelated words
collective noun litter
collective noun litter
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
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