gazehound: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicHistorical, Technical (cynology), Literary
Quick answer
What does “gazehound” mean?
A type of hunting dog that primarily relies on sight rather than scent to track and pursue prey.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of hunting dog that primarily relies on sight rather than scent to track and pursue prey.
A term for a sighthound, a group of lean, swift breeds such as greyhounds, whippets, and Afghan hounds, historically used for hunting in open terrain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic in both dialects, with no significant regional usage difference today.
Connotations
Evokes medieval hunting, heraldry, or historical novels. 'Sighthound' is the modern, functional term in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary use, found primarily in historical texts or breed-specific historical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “gazehound” in a Sentence
The [breed] is a type of gazehound.They hunted hares with their gazehounds.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
May appear in historical or literary studies discussing medieval hunting practices.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in historical cynology texts to classify hunting methods.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gazehound”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gazehound”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gazehound”
- Using 'gazehound' in modern conversation about dogs.
- Confusing it with specific breed names like 'greyhound'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. The modern equivalent is 'sighthound'.
A gazehound (sighthound) hunts primarily by sight and is built for speed in open spaces. A bloodhound is a scent hound, hunting by smell and built for endurance on a trail.
Yes, modern sighthound breeds that would have been called gazehounds include the Greyhound, Whippet, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Borzoi, and Saluki.
Language simplified to the more transparent compound 'sighthound'. 'Gaze' became less common in this context, and the classification of dogs by hunting method (sight vs. scent) became standardised with simpler terminology.
A type of hunting dog that primarily relies on sight rather than scent to track and pursue prey.
Gazehound is usually historical, technical (cynology), literary in register.
Gazehound: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡeɪzhaʊnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡeɪzˌhaʊnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with this archaic term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'gaze' (to look intently) + 'hound' (dog) = a dog that hunts by gazing/seeing its prey.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION AS HUNTING TOOL (The eyes are the primary instrument for the chase).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern synonym for 'gazehound'?