Definition

1. Noun:

   • A type of dog: A dog, typically one of several specific breeds, originally bred and used for hunting due to its keen sense of smell or sight. These dogs often have characteristic features like large, drooping ears.
   • A contemptible person: (Informal, disapproving) A person who is considered morally reprehensible or unpleasant.

2. Verb:

   • To pursue relentlessly: To chase, follow, or harass someone persistently and determinedly, often to the point of causing distress.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Dog):

  • The foxhound is a type of hound used in traditional fox hunts.
  • He owns a beautiful basset hound with long, floppy ears.

• Noun (Person):

  • That tabloid reporter is a real hound, always digging up people's private scandals.
  • "You dirty hound!" she shouted at the man who had betrayed her.

• Verb:

  • The paparazzi hounded the celebrity everywhere she went.
  • He was hounded by creditors after his business failed.

Advanced Usage

• "To hound someone out (of a place/job)": To force someone to leave a place or position through persistent harassment or pressure.

  • The whistleblower was hounded out of the company by hostile management.

• "To be hounded by guilt/regret/memories": To be troubled or tormented persistently by a negative feeling or thought.

  • She was hounded by guilt for years after the accident.

Variants and Related Words

• Houndstooth (n): A distinctive checked fabric pattern, originally associated with traditional hunting attire.

  • He wore a stylish houndstooth jacket.

• Houndfish (n): A type of long, slender fish.

• Hare and hounds: A game where one person (the hare) leaves a trail for others (the hounds) to follow.

Synonyms

• Noun (Dog): Hunting dog, dog, canine.
• Noun (Person): Scoundrel, cad, villain, wretch.
• Verb: Persecute, harass, pester, badger, dog, chase, pursue.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hound out: To force someone to leave a place or position through persistent pressure.

  • The corrupt official was eventually hounded out of office.

• Hound on: (Archaic/Less common) To urge or incite someone, especially to do something aggressive.

  • The general hounded his troops on to one final assault.

Related Idioms

• Ride to hounds: To participate in a fox hunt on horseback.

  • In his youth, he loved to ride to hounds across the countryside.

• Follow the hounds: To go hunting with dogs.

• Like a hound on the scent: Behaving with intense, focused determination to find or achieve something.
  • The detective was on the case like a hound on the scent.

Noun

1. someone who is morally reprehensible
   • you dirty dog
2. any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

Verb

1. pursue or chase relentlessly
   • The hunters traced the deer into the woods
   • the detectives hounded the suspect until they found him