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puppy

n. · v.
US //ˈpəpi// UK //pˈʌpi// pup·py
  1. 1 young dog (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a young dog, usually less than a year old.

    a juvenile domestic dog, specifically one that has not yet reached sexual maturity.

    Example

    The children were excited to play with the new puppy in the garden.

    Example

    The shelter requires all families adopting a puppy to attend mandatory training sessions to ensure the animal is properly socialised during its first year.
    • adult dog
  2. 2 young seal or rat (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the young of certain other animals, such as seals or rats.

    the offspring of certain mammals, most notably seals, sea lions, and rats.

    Example

    We watched a mother seal feeding her puppy on the rocks.

    Example

    Marine biologists observed the seal puppy as it made its first tentative attempts to swim in the shallow coastal waters.
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  1. 3 an object or task (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a thing or a task, especially one that is difficult or impressive.

    a colloquial reference to an object, person, or undertaking, often used to emphasise its size, difficulty, or significance.

    Example

    This math problem is a tough puppy to solve.

    Example

    Once we get this puppy started, the entire production line should run autonomously for the rest of the afternoon.
  2. 4 breasts (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

    a slang word for a woman's breasts.

    a slang term referring to mammary glands; almost exclusively used in the plural.

    Example

    He made a rude comment about her puppies and she walked away.

    Example

    The dialogue in the film was criticised for its reliance on dated slang and crude references to 'puppies' when discussing female characters.
  3. 5 to give birth (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to give birth to young dogs.

    to bring forth whelps; the act of a female dog giving birth.

    Example

    The breeder expected the dog to puppy sometime in late March.

    Example

    The prize-winning spaniel is expected to puppy next week, and the veterinary staff has been placed on standby for any complications.

    Usage

    The verb is typically used in the context of professional dog breeding.
    • whelp
    • give birth
Origin

From earlier puppie (“a woman's pet dog”), of uncertain origin, but probably from Middle English puppee, poupee, from Old French poupée, popée (“a doll; puppet”). More at puppet. Mostly displaced native Middle English whelp (“puppy”), from Old English hwelp, whence Modern English whelp and whelpie.

Idioms1 entry

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