MASTIFF
mastiff
(noun) an old breed of powerful deep-chested smooth-coated dog used chiefly as a watchdog and guard dog
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
mastiff (plural mastiffs)
One of an old breed of powerful, deep-chested, and smooth-coated dogs, used chiefly as watchdogs and guard dogs.
Hypernyms
• molosser
Noun
Mastiff (plural Mastiffs)
Alternative form of mastiff
Source: Wiktionary
Mas"tiff, n.; pl. Mastiffs (. [Mastives is irregular and unusual.]
Etym: [Prob. fr. Prov. E. masty, adj., large, n., a great dog, prob.
fr. mast fruit, and hence, lit., fattened with mast. There is perh.
confusion with OF. mestif mongrel; cf. also F. mâtin mastiff, OF.
mastin.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: A breed of large dogs noted for strength and courage. There are
various strains, differing in form and color, and characteristic of
different countries. Mastiff bat (Zoöl.) , any bat of the genus
Molossus; so called because the face somewhat resembles that of a
mastiff.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition