dogface
Definition
- Noun (American English, slang):
- Infantry soldier: "dogface" is a slang term used to refer to a soldier, especially an infantry soldier, particularly in the context of the U.S. military during World War II.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The dogface trudged through the mud with his rifle. (A soldier, specifically an infantry soldier, walked through the mud carrying his weapon.)
- During the war, many dogfaces were stationed in the front lines. (Many infantry soldiers were positioned at the front of the battlefield.)
Advanced Usage
- "Dogface" as a term of camaraderie: The word is often used informally among soldiers themselves or in historical narratives to evoke a sense of shared hardship and identity.
- The old veteran recalled his days as a dogface in the Pacific. (The veteran remembered his time as an infantry soldier in the Pacific theater.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dogface (n): No common variants exist, but the term is sometimes written as two words ("dog face") in non-military contexts, though the one-word form is standard in slang.
- Dogfaced (adj): Rarely used, meaning having a face resembling a dog, but this is unrelated to the military slang.
Synonyms
- Grunt: A colloquial term for an infantry soldier, especially in the Vietnam War era.
- Foot soldier: A formal term for a soldier who fights on foot.
- G.I.: A general slang term for a U.S. soldier.
Related Idioms
- "Dogface soldier": A fixed phrase used to emphasize the infantry role.
- He was just a dogface soldier, not a high-ranking officer. (He was an ordinary infantry soldier, not a commander.)
Phrasal Verbs
- None: "dogface" is not used as a verb in standard English.
Usage Notes
- Register: Informal, slang, and primarily historical. The term is most associated with World War II and may sound dated or nostalgic in modern contexts.
- Connotation: Neutral to slightly affectionate, often implying toughness, endurance, and the ordinary soldier's perspective.