doghouse
UK[ˈdɒɡhaʊs]US[ˈdɔːɡhaʊs]
n
A small shelter for a dog.
n
A situation of being in trouble or disfavor.
Morpheme Breakdown
dog
house
dog
animal
house
dwelling
Etymology
The word "doghouse" is a transparent endocentric compound from Middle English, directly combining the native English words "dog" and "house." Its primary, literal meaning is precisely what its parts denote: a house or shelter for a dog. The modern figurative sense of being "in the doghouse"—meaning in disgrace or temporary exile from affection—is a 20th-century metaphorical extension, humorously comparing a person's ostracized status to a dog being sent to its outdoor kennel. This compound exemplifies how Germanic languages readily create new meanings by joining two existing nouns, with the first specifying the type or purpose of the second.
Analysis
Structure: dog (animal) + house (dwelling)
dog: From Old English docga, a late, rare word for a powerful breed of dog. Its ultimate origin is unknown. In this compound, it functions as the modifying noun specifying the type of house.
house: From Old English hūs ("dwelling, shelter, building"), from Proto-Germanic hūsą. In this compound, it functions as the head noun, the core object being described.
Examples
The family built a wooden doghouse in the backyard for their new puppy.
After forgetting their anniversary, he knew he would be in the doghouse for a week.
The insulated doghouse kept the dog warm during the harsh winter storms.