mastiff

views updated Jun 11 2018

mas·tiff / ˈmastif/ • n. a dog of a large, strong breed with drooping ears and pendulous lips.ORIGIN: Middle English: obscurely representing Old French mastin, based on Latin mansuetus ‘tame.’

mastiff

views updated Jun 08 2018

mastiff (old English mastiff) Large fighting dog first bred in England more than 2000 years ago. It has a broad, rounded head with a dark-coloured, square muzzle and small V-shaped ears. The deep-chested body is set on strong legs with large feet. The short, coarse coat may be brown, grey or brindle. Height: to 84cm (33in) at shoulder; weight: to 95kg (210lb).

mastiff

views updated Jun 08 2018

mastiff XIV. repr. obscurely OF. mastin (mod. mâtin :- Rom. *mānsuētīnus, f. L. mānsuētus tamed, tame, earlier mānsuēs, f. manus hand (see MANUAL) + base of suēscere (pp. suētus) accustom.

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