American pit bull terrier
1
3.6
- noun
- /əˈmɛrɪkən pɪt bʊl ˈtɛriər/
:
pit bull terrier americano
- The American pit bull terrier is known for its strength.
Examples
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Many families choose the American pit bull terrier for its loyal and protective nature.
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The American pit bull terrier is known for its incredible strength and agility during competitions.
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Proper training is essential for any American pit bull terrier to ensure they are well-behaved pets.
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She adopted an American pit bull terrier from the animal shelter last year.
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The American pit bull terrier is often praised for its intelligence and loyalty.
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Many people love American pit bull terriers for their loyalty.
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Training an American pit bull terrier requires patience and consistency to harness its energy.
Synonyms
40
3.9
A strong, muscular dog often kept as a pet and known for loyalty
1
3.2
A strong dog with short fur that is often loyal and brave
A strong, stocky terrier dog from the United States with a short coat
Surface Forms
Morphology
American + pit + bull + terrier
A B1 learner who knows 'American' and 'terrier' will readily infer this refers to a U.S. dog breed because 'terrier' signals a type of dog and 'American' signals origin. However, the element 'pit bull' is not fully predictable from the literal meanings of 'pit' and 'bull' (its historical reference to fighting pits and specific breed connotations are not transparent), so the overall phrase is only partly predictable.
Etymology
American pit bull terrier gets its name from its history: American because it was bred in the United States, pit from the small 'pits' where dogs were once kept for fighting, and bull and terrier from the kinds of dogs used for strong work and hunting small animals. That's why the name today brings to mind a strong, active dog breed.