ˈwar-dog
A dog trained for use in war (formerly, to attack the foe; latterly, for carrying messages, sentry-work, etc.). Also fig., a fierce warrior (cf. sea-dog); U.S. one whose voice is for war, a ‘war-hawk’.
| 1813 Columbian Centinel 23 Oct. 2/1 in A. Matthews Uncle Sam (1908) 28 War-dogs. 1846 Congressional Globe 18 Apr. 687/1 The gentleman regarded 54° 40{p} men as ‘war-hawks’ and ‘war-dogs!’ 1852 Thackeray Esmond ii. ix, In the hour of battle..the Prince..shrieked curses and encouragement, yelling and harking his bloody war-dogs on, and himself always at the first of the hunt. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Race Wks. (Bohn) II. 30 But they know where their war-dogs lie. Cromwell, Blake, Marlborough, Chatham, Nelson, and Wellington, are not to be trifled with. 1877 Encycl. Brit. VII. 325/2 Corinth was said to have been saved by 50 war dogs, which attacked the enemy that had landed while the garrison slept. 1894 Daily News 1 June 6/7 A type-writing cyclist, who sends despatches back from the front by a war-dog. 1900 United Service Mag. Jan. 425 The umpires decided that the carrying of despatches was the first and indispensable qualification for a ‘war-dog’. 1920 E. H. Richardson (title) British War Dogs. |