spaniel
pronunciation
How to pronounce spaniel in British English:
UK [ˈspænjəl]
How to pronounce spaniel in American English:
US [ˈspænjəl]
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- Noun:
- any of several breeds of small to medium-sized gun dogs with a long silky coat and long frilled ears
Word Origin
- spaniel
- spaniel: [14] The spaniel is etymologically the ‘Spanish’ dog. The word comes via Old French espaigneul ‘Spanish’ and Vulgar Latin *spāniōlus from Latin Hispāniōlus, a derivative of Hispānia ‘Spain’. The breed of dog was of Spanish origin.=> spain
- spaniel (n.)
- late 13c., as a surname meaning "Spaniard;" as a name for a breed of dog supposedly of Spanish origin, late 14c., from Old French (chien) espagneul, literally "Spanish (dog)," from Vulgar Latin *Hispaniolus "of Spain," diminutive of Latin Hispanus "Spanish, Hispanic" (see Spaniard). Used originally to start game; the breed was much-developed in England in 17c. Whether it is actually originally Spanish is uncertain.
Example
- 1. I take my cocker spaniel to be groomed once a week .
- 2. The cocker spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting group .
- 3. Her majesty has asked me to delouse her spaniel .
- 4. My cocker spaniel is a merry dog .
- 5. Some , like the schipperke and tibetan spaniel are uncommon sights in the average neighborhood .