First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1hound
noun \ˈhau̇nd\
: a dog; especially : a type of dog that has a very good sense of smell and is trained to hunt
: a person who is very determined to get something especially for a collection : a very enthusiastic collector
Full Definition of HOUND
1
2
: a mean or despicable person
3
: dogfish
4
: a person who pursues like a hound; especially : one who avidly seeks or collects something <autograph hounds>
See hound defined for English-language learners
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Origin of HOUND
Middle English, from Old English hund; akin to Old High German hunt dog, Latin canis, Greek kyōn
2hound
verb
: to chase or bother (someone or something) in a constant or determined way
Full Definition of HOUND
transitive verb
1
: to pursue with or as if with hounds
2
: to drive or affect by persistent harassing
— hound·er noun
See hound defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HOUND
1528
Related to HOUND
Synonym Discussion of HOUND
bait, badger, heckle, hector, chivy, hound mean to harass by efforts to break down. bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim <baited the chained dog>. badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy <badgered her father for a car>. heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker <drunks heckled the stand-up comic>. hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering <football players hectored by their coach>. chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging <chivied the new student mercilessly>. hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing <hounded by creditors>.
HOUND Defined for Kids
1hound
noun \ˈhau̇nd\
Definition of HOUND for Kids
: a dog with drooping ears that is used in hunting and follows game by the sense of smell
2hound
verb
hound·edhound·ing
Definition of HOUND for Kids
: to hunt, chase, or annoy without ceasing <“From now on they're gonna be hounding you for an autograph.” — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>
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