A dog in the manger

A dog in the manger
Dog Dog (d[o^]g), n. [AS. docga; akin to D. dog mastiff, Dan. dogge, Sw. dogg.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadruped of the genus {Canis}, esp. the domestic dog ({Canis familiaris}).

Note: The dog is distinguished above all others of the inferior animals for intelligence, docility, and attachment to man. There are numerous carefully bred varieties, as the {akita}, {beagle}, {bloodhound}, {bulldog}, {coachdog}, {collie}, {Danish dog}, {foxhound}, {greyhound}, {mastiff}, {pointer}, {poodle}, {St. Bernard}, {setter}, {spaniel}, {spitz dog}, {terrier}, {German shepherd}, {pit bull}, {Chihuahua}, etc. There are also many mixed breeds, and partially domesticated varieties, as well as wild dogs, like the dingo and dhole. (See these names in the Vocabulary.) [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch. [1913 Webster]

What is thy servant, which is but a dog, that he should do this great thing? -- 2 Kings viii. 13 (Rev. Ver. ) [1913 Webster]

3. A fellow; -- used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

4. (Astron.) One of the two constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor, or the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog. Canis Major contains the Dog Star (Sirius). [1913 Webster]

5. An iron for holding wood in a fireplace; a firedog; an andiron. [1913 Webster]

6. (Mech.) (a) A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them. (b) An iron with fangs fastening a log in a saw pit, or on the carriage of a sawmill. (c) A piece in machinery acting as a catch or clutch; especially, the carrier of a lathe, also, an adjustable stop to change motion, as in a machine tool. [1913 Webster]

7. an ugly or crude person, especially an ugly woman. [slang] [PJC]

8. a {hot dog}. [slang] [PJC]

Note: Dog is used adjectively or in composition, commonly in the sense of relating to, or characteristic of, a dog. It is also used to denote a male; as, dog fox or g-fox, a male fox; dog otter or dog-otter, dog wolf, etc.; -- also to denote a thing of cheap or mean quality; as, dog Latin. [1913 Webster]

{A dead dog}, a thing of no use or value. --1 Sam. xxiv. 14.

{A dog in the manger}, an ugly-natured person who prevents others from enjoying what would be an advantage to them but is none to him.

{Dog ape} (Zo["o]l.), a male ape.

{Dog cabbage}, or {Dog's cabbage} (Bot.), a succulent herb, native to the Mediterranean region ({Thelygonum Cynocrambe}).

{Dog cheap}, very cheap. See under {Cheap}.

{Dog ear} (Arch.), an acroterium. [Colloq.]

{Dog flea} (Zo["o]l.), a species of flea ({Pulex canis}) which infests dogs and cats, and is often troublesome to man. In America it is the common flea. See {Flea}, and {Aphaniptera}.

{Dog grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Triticum caninum}) of the same genus as wheat.

{Dog Latin}, barbarous Latin; as, the dog Latin of pharmacy.

{Dog lichen} (Bot.), a kind of lichen ({Peltigera canina}) growing on earth, rocks, and tree trunks, -- a lobed expansion, dingy green above and whitish with fuscous veins beneath.

{Dog louse} (Zo["o]l.), a louse that infests the dog, esp. {H[ae]matopinus piliferus}; another species is {Trichodectes latus}.

{Dog power}, a machine operated by the weight of a dog traveling in a drum, or on an endless track, as for churning.

{Dog salmon} (Zo["o]l.), a salmon of northwest America and northern Asia; -- the {gorbuscha}; -- called also {holia}, and {hone}.

{Dog shark}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Dogfish}.

{Dog's meat}, meat fit only for dogs; refuse; offal.

{Dog Star}. See in the Vocabulary.

{Dog wheat} (Bot.), Dog grass.

{Dog whelk} (Zo["o]l.), any species of univalve shells of the family {Nassid[ae]}, esp. the {Nassa reticulata} of England.

{To give to the dogs}, or {To throw to the dogs}, to throw away as useless. ``Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it.'' --Shak.

{To go to the dogs}, to go to ruin; to be ruined. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • The Dog in the Manger — The story and metaphor of The Dog in the Manger derives from an old Greek fable which has been transmitted in several different versions. Interpreted variously over the centuries, it is used now of those who spitefully prevent others from having… …   Wikipedia

  • dog in the manger — {n. phr.} A person who is unwilling to let another use what he himself has no use for. * /Although Valerie lives alone in that big house, she is like a dog in the manger when it comes to letting someone sharing it with her./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • dog in the manger — {n. phr.} A person who is unwilling to let another use what he himself has no use for. * /Although Valerie lives alone in that big house, she is like a dog in the manger when it comes to letting someone sharing it with her./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • dog in the manger — (UK) If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don t want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • dog in the manger — dog in the manger, adj. a person who selfishly keeps something that he or she does not really need or want so that others may not use or enjoy it. [1555 65] * * * …   Universalium

  • dog in the manger — (UK)    If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don t want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    A person referred to as a dog in the manger is someone who stops others from… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • dog-in-the-manger — a dog in the manger someone who keeps something that they do not really want in order to prevent anyone else from having it. The British have a dog in the manger attitude to the island, no longer needing it themselves, but wanting to deny it to… …   New idioms dictionary

  • dog in the manger — noun One who denies others what he cannot use himself. No adjective is strong enough for characterizing this wicked dog in the manger policy. From various sources I hear tales of such wanton destruction of nations property in all parts of India …   Wiktionary

  • dog\ in\ the\ manger — n. phr. A person who is unwilling to let another use what he himself has no use for. Although Valerie lives alone in that big house, she is like a dog in the manger when it comes to letting someone sharing it with her …   Словарь американских идиом

  • dog in the manger — a person who will not share something he does not use or need    He s a dog in the manger about his office space. He doesn t use it, but he won t let us have it …   English idioms

  • Dog in the manger —   (UK)    If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don t want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them …   Dictionary of English idioms

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