hound

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. someone who is very interested in finding or collecting a specific thing.

n. an enthusiast or person who persistently seeks something, often used in compounds like 'glory-hound' or 'news-hound'.

“As a dedicated bargain hound, she spent every Saturday morning at garage sales.”

“The veteran news hound was the first to arrive at the courthouse, hoping for an exclusive interview with the defendant.”

C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Science Technical

n. parts of a ship's mast that help hold up the top sections.

n. Projections at the masthead that serve as a support for the trestletrees.

“The sailors checked the hounds of the mast for any signs of rot.”

“During the refit, the shipwright discovered significant structural fatigue in the hounds, requiring the entire foremast to be lowered for repair.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to bother or chase someone constantly to get what you want.

v. to harass, pester, or pursue someone relentlessly.

“Reporters continued to hound the politician for an answer about the new tax.”

“Debt collectors began to hound the family with daily phone calls and formal letters, despite their requests for a payment plan.”

C2 · Proficiency Archaic

v. to encourage dogs to chase or attack something.

v. to urge on or set dogs upon a quarry during a hunt.

“In the old stories, the king would hound his dogs after the white deer.”

“The huntsman was known for his ability to hound his pack with such precision that no prey could escape the initial pursuit.”