hound Hear it!

hound¹ Definition

hound (ho̵und)

noun

  1. any of several breeds of hunting dog that find game either by scenting and tracking, as the beagle, the bloodhound, and the foxhound, or by sighting followed by swift pursuit, as the borzoi, deerhound, and greyhound
  2. any dog, especially a member of one of the hunting breeds, with drooping ears, a deep-throated bark, and a keen sense of smell
  3. a contemptible person
  4. ☆ Slang a devotee or fan autograph hound

Etymology: ME < OE hund, a dog (generic term), akin to Ger < IE base *kwon-, dog > cynic, Gr kyōn, L canis: houndsense shows specialization, accompanied by generalization of OE docga: see dog

transitive verb

  1. to hunt or chase with or as with hounds; chase or follow continually; nag to hound a debtor
  2. to urge on; incite as to pursuit

hound¹ Idioms

follow the hounds

or follow ride to hounds

to hunt a fox, etc. on horseback with hounds

hound² Definition

hound (ho̵und)

noun

  1. either of two projections at the masthead for supporting the trestletrees and the upper parts of the lower rigging
  2. a horizontal bar for strengthening the running gear of a wagon, cart, etc.

Etymology: < ME houn < ON hūnn, knob (< IE base *eu-, to swell, arch > L cavus, hollow), with unhistoric -d, infl. by hound

hound Synonyms

hound

n.

  1. A dog

    hunting dog, bird dog, hound dog, coon dog. see also animal 1, dog 1.

    Types of hounds include: greyhound, bloodhound, foxhound, staghound, deerhound, wolfhound, otterhound, harrier, basset, beagle, dachshund;

  2. A fan

    devotee, fanatic, groupie; see enthusiast 1, follower.

hound Synonyms

hound

v.

badger, harass, pursue; see bait 2, bother 2, pursue 1. See syn. study at bait.

hound Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • evade: Two-thirds of the mink located by the hounds successfully evaded capture.
  • hunt: Whoever was hunting the hounds then had to keep asking the foot followers to keep well back.
  • breed: A long dog is originally produced from a cross mating between two pure bred sight hounds, ie; a greyhound x saluki.

Converse of subject

  • hunt: Having survived an earlier shooting it was hunted by the hounds then savaged below ground by the terrier.
  • kill: The hunted fox is either killed immediately by the leading hound or he gets clean away.
  • pursue: I do hope I am not to be pursued by hounds.
  • catch: What happens when foxes are caught by the hounds above ground?

Adjective modifier

  • Afghan: Actually, I was going to bring your attention to our range of Afghan hounds.
  • phantom: You wait ages for a phantom hound, and then two come along!
  • faithful: Madame Souza and her faithful hound Bruno leave to track them down.
  • spectral: Can it really be possible that a spectral, supernatural hound lurks on the barren moor?

Modifies a noun

  • stake: Meetings or ` stakes ` , whether driven or walked-up are usually for 32 or 16 hounds with the occasional 24 hound stake organized.
  • dog: Exposure TV have just released a video of the band it was recorded at the hound dog rock n roll club in Essex.

Noun used with modifier

  • basset: She lives with her partner and their basset hound in North Essex.
  • mink: I am also told that if mink hounds should chance upon an otter, they can be called off.
  • scent: Most scent hounds were used in packs - making a loud, deep baying noise alerting hunters to their location.
  • fox: Despite exhaustive enquiries the groom could find no reports of any of the local fox hound being out that late the previous evening.
  • Pharaoh: Introduction to the Pharaoh Hound The Kennel Club describes the dog as ' medium sized, of noble bearing with clean cut lines.
  • stag: The comparison between the fox hounds and their kill, against stag hounds standing off their edible quarry, also supports this view.

Preposition: of

  • hell: You run like the Hounds of Hell are on your trail.
hound Quotes

They were the footprints of a gigantic hound!

—Doyle, SirArthur Conan

As I was walking all alane, I heard twa corbies making a mane; The tane unto the tother say, 'Where sall we gang and dine to-day?' 'In behint yon auld fail dye, I wot there lies a new-slain knight; And naebody kens that he lies there, But his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair. 'His hound is to the hunting gane, His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame, His lady's ta'en another mate, So we may mak our dinner sweet.'

—Ballads

'A chain of gold ye sall not lack, Nor braid to bind your hair; Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk, Nor palfrey fresh and fair.'

—Scott, Sir Walter

It is nought good a slepyng hound to wake.

—Chaucer, Geoffrey

The horse loves the hound, and I loves both.

—Surtees, Robert Smith