bulldog

[ bool-dawg, -dog ]

noun

1. one of an English breed of medium-sized, short-haired, muscular dogs with prominent, undershot jaws, usually having a white and tan or brindled coat, raised originally for bullbaiting.
2. Informal. a stubbornly persistent person.
3. a short-barreled revolver of large caliber.
4. Metallurgy. slag from a puddling furnace.
5. an assistant to the proctor at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

adjective

1. like or characteristic of a bulldog or of a bulldog's jaws:

   bulldog obstinacy.

verb (used with object)

, bull·dogged, bull·dog·ging.

1. to attack in the manner of a bulldog.
2. Western U.S. to throw (a calf, steer, etc.) to the ground by seizing the horns and twisting the head.

bulldog

/ ˈbʊlˌdɒɡ /

noun

1. a sturdy thickset breed of dog with an undershot jaw, short nose, broad head, and a muscular body
2. (at Oxford University) an official who accompanies the proctors on ceremonial occasions
3. commerce a fixed-interest bond issued in Britain by a foreign borrower

Other Words From

• bulldogged·ness noun
• bulldogger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulldog¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; bull ¹ + dog

Example Sentences

A Southern California couple who lost their French bulldog have gone to great lengths over the last two months to find the pooch, resorting to bloodhounds, animal psychics, cash rewards and door-to-door canvasing.

From Los Angeles Times

Emergency services were called to Bells Lane in Cinderhill, Nottingham, on 1 October where a woman was found with serious injuries and a British bulldog, called Winnie, was later reported missing from a nearby property.

From BBC

Local media have reported that two of the dogs were bulldogs and the third was a pit bull.

From BBC

On the island itself, I spot British police cars and a nightclub called the Brit Club with a bulldog logo.

From BBC

An oval abrasion on a French bulldog’s ear was rimmed by crusty discharge.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• community
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• paper
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• press
• tabloid
• weekly