cur

¹

[ kur ]

noun

1. a mongrel dog, especially a worthless or unfriendly one.
2. a mean, cowardly person.

   Synonyms: heel, cad, blackguard

cur.

²

abbreviation for

1. currency.
2. current.

cur

/ kɜː /

noun

1. any vicious dog, esp a mongrel
2. a despicable or cowardly person

Other Words From

• curlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cur¹

1175–1225; Middle English curre, apparently shortened from curdogge. See cur dog

Word History and Origins

Origin of cur¹

C13: shortened from kurdogge; probably related to Old Norse kurra to growl

Example Sentences

But it’s not the dirty-looking curs that run, snarl, bark and gnash their teeth behind fences when a visitor approaches that one needs to fear.

From Los Angeles Times

“No different than the marshal who goes after his man even after the dirty cur shoots him. He still gets the job done before he gives in to pain.”

From Literature

Back in 1889, when the zoo was still on the Mall, some “cur dogs” from the neighborhood entered the pen containing an antelope that had only recently arrived from the West.

From Washington Post

They might be blackguards; They might be curs; They might be actors; sports; chauffeurs — She never inquired Of the men she desired About their social status, or wealth: She was only concerned about their health.

From New York Times

The new stay-at-home order will cur sharply into the most profitable shopping season and threaten financial ruin for businesses already struggling after 10 months of on-again, off-again restrictions and slow sales because of the pandemic.

From Seattle Times