lapdog

or lap dog

[ lap-dawg, dog ]

noun

1. a small pet dog that can easily be held in the lap.
2. a person or group that submits to the influence of another; a servile follower:

   Regulatory agencies are supposed to be watchdogs, but some have become lapdogs of the industries they oversee.

lapdog

/ ˈlæpˌdɒɡ /

noun

1. a pet dog small and docile enough to be cuddled in the lap
2. informal.
   a person who attaches himself to someone in admiration or infatuation

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapdog¹

First recorded in 1635–45; lap ¹ + dog ( def )

Example Sentences

Describing the city agency tasked with investigating police misconduct as “more of a lapdog than a watchdog,” he proposed in 2009 to give it more independence, authority, and guaranteed funding.

From ProPublica

The King awoke in great anxiety, and called out, "My kingdom is lost, and my dwarf and my lapdog are killed!"

From Project Gutenberg

When the King awoke, he cried out in great anxiety, "My kingdom is lost, and my dwarf and my lapdog are killed!"

From Project Gutenberg

In the morning the King awoke in great anxiety, and called out, "My kingdom is lost, and my dwarf and my lapdog are killed!"

From Project Gutenberg

She had a little lapdog, who was, next to the Doctor, her favorite.

From Project Gutenberg

She patted the hand which he had laid upon the arm of her chair, very much as if it had been a pet lapdog.

From Project Gutenberg