dog
UK[dɒɡ]US[dɔːɡ]
n
A common four-legged animal that is often kept as a pet or for work or hunting.
v
To follow someone closely and persistently.
Etymology
The word 'dog' has a fascinating but obscure history. It first appeared in late Old English as 'docga', referring to a powerful breed of canine, replacing the older, more general term 'hund' (the ancestor of modern 'hound'). Its ultimate origin is unknown, not traceable to Proto-Indo-European, making it a unique Germanic innovation. The term gradually generalized to become the standard word for the domestic canine, while 'hound' specialized to refer to breeds used for hunting. The verb sense, "to follow tenaciously," naturally evolved from the behavior of the animal.
Analysis
The word 'dog' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a complete, indivisible root.
Examples
The dog barked loudly at the mail carrier.
She felt someone was dogging her steps throughout the city.
They adopted a rescue dog from the local shelter.