ˈhang-dog, n. and a.
[f. hang v. + dog n.1: cf. cut-throat.]
A. n. A despicable or degraded fellow fit only to hang a dog, or to be hanged like a dog.
| 1687 Congreve Old Bach. iii. vi, There's the hangdog his man. 1772 Nugent tr. Hist. Friar Gerund I. 476 The Hang-dogs who murdered Christ. 1840 Thackeray Catherine ix, Paws off..You young hang-dog. |
b. attrib. in apposition.
| 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xxii, How can thy traffic with the hang-dog executioner be of avail to serve me? 1862 Sala Ship Chandler ii. 21 That hang-dog buccaneer, who had Captain Kidd for a grandfather. |
B. adj. Of, befitting, or characteristic of a hang-dog; low, degraded; having a base or sneaking appearance.
| 1677 Otway Cheats of Scapin iii, i, A squinting, meager, hang-dog countenance. 1826 Scott Jrnl. 7 Jan., I can't have the hang-dog look which the unfortunate Theseus has. 1873 R. Broughton Nancy III. 191 With an extremely hang-dog air. 1893 Westm. Gaz. 15 Feb. 3/2 They sat silent and hang-dog throughout. |