whelp

[ welp, hwelp ]

noun

1. the young of a carnivore, as a dog, bear, lion, seal, etc.
2. a youth, especially an impudent or despised one.

   Synonyms: whippersnapper, urchin, brat

3. Machinery.
   1. any of a series of longitudinal projections or ridges on the barrel of a capstan, windlass, etc.
   2. any of the teeth of a sprocket wheel.

verb (used with or without object)

1. (of a female dog, lion, etc.) to give birth to (young).

whelp

/ wɛlp /

noun

1. a young offspring of certain animals, esp of a wolf or dog
2. derogatory.
   a young man or youth
3. humorous.
   a young child
4. nautical any of the ridges, parallel to the axis, on the drum of a capstan to keep a rope, cable, or chain from slipping

verb

1. (of an animal or, disparagingly, a woman) to give birth to (young)

Other Words From

• whelp·less adjective
• un·whelped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whelp¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun, from Old English hwelp (cognate with Old Norse hvelpr, Old Saxon hwelp, Old High German hwelf, welf, German Welf); verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of whelp¹

Old English hwelp ( a ); related to Old High German hwelf, Old Norse hvelpr, Danish hvalp

Example Sentences

This wretch, a shoemaker called Simon, asked his employers, "what was to be done with the young wolf-whelp; Was he to be slain?"

From Project Gutenberg

Brown Puppy and her whelp keep me company, and I look upon them as comrades in misfortune.

From Project Gutenberg

I had seen some whelp wolves that friends of ours (Harris and Leroy Lyman, who were noted hunters) had got.

From Project Gutenberg

Rome is strong, but Rome is far away, and that lion's whelp prowls only a few days journey from here.

From Project Gutenberg

Gradually, bit by bit, James Harthouse established a confidence with the whelp's sister from which her husband was excluded.

From Project Gutenberg