/ˈpʌpi/, [ˈpʰɐpi]
OriginFrom 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.
- A young dog, especially before sexual maturity (12–18 months)
- A young rat.
- A young seal.
- A dog with a youthful appearance, or any dog.
- plural-normally, slangA woman’s breast.
“Unclasp your bra and set those puppies free.”
- informalA (generic) thing; particularly something that is a nuisance; a sucker.
“I have another two dozen of these puppies to finish before I can go home.”
- transitiveTo bring forth whelps or give birth to pups.
Formspuppies(plural) · puppie(alternative, obsolete) · puppies(present, singular, third-person) · puppying(participle, present) · puppied(participle, past) · puppied(past)