1. dog bred for hunting: a dog with floppy ears, short hair, and a deep bark, belonging to a breed originally developed for hunting
(
often used in combination
)
2. dog: a domestic dog, especially one viewed with disapproval
(
informal
)
3. unpleasant person: somebody regarded as contemptible or despicable
(
dated
)
4. enthusiast: somebody who pursues a particular activity with great enthusiasm or determination
(
informal
)
a media hound
transitive verb (past and past participlehound·ed, present participlehound·ing, 3rd person present singularhounds)
Definition:
1. pursue doggedly: to follow, chase, or pester somebody in a persistent or relentless manner
2. urge or nag somebody: to urge or force somebody to do something by nagging or harassment hounded out of office by a hostile press
[ Old English hund "dog" < Indo-European]
hound·er noun
Word History
The Indo-European word from which hound is ultimately derived, is also the ancestor of English canary, canine, chenille, corgi, cynic, dachshund, and kennel.
