hound
UK[haʊnd]US[haʊnd]
n
A type of dog, especially one used for hunting or racing by following the scent of an animal.
v
To pursue or harass persistently.
Etymology
The word 'hound' has a direct lineage from the Old English 'hund', which meant 'dog' in a general sense. This term is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'hundaz', which in turn traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'ḱwṓ', meaning 'dog'. The semantic narrowing from a general term for 'dog' to one specifically for hunting breeds occurred in English, influenced by its specialized use, while the related German 'Hund' and Dutch 'hond' retain the broader meaning. The verb sense, meaning to pursue relentlessly, developed naturally from the behavior of hunting dogs.
Analysis
The word 'hound' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a complete, unanalyzable root in modern English.
Examples
The fox was chased by a pack of hounds.
Reporters hounded the celebrity for a statement.
The greyhound is one of the fastest breeds of hound.