Lexic.us

Definition of Spaniel

1. Noun. Any of several breeds of small to medium-sized gun dogs with a long silky coat and long frilled ears.

Definition of Spaniel

1. n. One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under Clumber, and Cocker.

2. a. Cringing; fawning.

3. v. i. To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious.

4. v. t. To follow like a spaniel.

Definition of Spaniel

1. Noun. Any of various small breeds of gun dog having a broad muzzle, long, wavy fur and long ears that hang at the side of the head, bred for flushing and retrieving game. ¹

2. Verb. To follow loyally, like a spaniel. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Spaniel

1. a dog with silky hair [n -S]

Medical Definition of Spaniel

1. 1. One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under Blenheim). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see Clumber). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence. "As a spaniel she will on him leap." (Chaucer) 2. A cringing, fawning person. Origin: OF. Espagneul, F. Epagneul, espagnol Spanish, Sp. Espannol, fr. Espana Spain, from L. Hispania. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spaniel

Literary usage of Spaniel

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1918)
"It is regarded as a result of a cross between the field spaniel and the pointer, and should have a soft coat with a slight wave, but no curl in the hair. ..."

2. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by Charles Anderson Dana (1876)
"It is figured ou some of the later monuments of an- spaniel. cient Italy, ... The water spaniel differs from the common breed in the eagerness to hunt and ..."

3. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge by Charles Knight (1841)
"Tims Bewick, who gives cuts both of the Large Water spaniel and the Small Water spaniel (both apparently modifications of the old Old Springing spaniel), ..."

4. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge by Charles Knight (1842)
"Thus Bewick, who gives cuts both of the Large Water spaniel and the Small Water spaniel (both apparently modifications of the old Old Springing spaniel), ..."

5. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1883)
"The water spaniel differs from the common breed in the eagerness to hunt and ... The Alpine or St. Bernard spaniel is the largest and most celebrated of the ..."

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