wee dog
- noun
- UK
:
perrito
- My friend adopted a wee dog that loves to cuddle on the sofa.
Examples
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He was devoid of any aggression, just a happy wee dog whose tail never stopped wagging.
Blog text (8) -
He must have been a fine lad for the wee dog to love him so.
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The children laughed as the wee dog chased after the frisbee in the park.
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At the cafe, an old man fed his wee dog some treats while they sat together.
Synonyms
46
4.2
A very small dog kept mainly as a pet
3
8.2
A small pet dog that people call a cute name
1
3.2
A very small dog that people breed and keep as a pet in homes
1
4.0
A small, lively dog with rough fur and a bushy beard and eyebrows
1
2.6
A small dog with a curly coat and a smart, alert nature often kept as a pet
A small German dog that looks like a Doberman and is lively
How Small
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a small dog' is directly and compositionally derived from 'wee' (tiny) + 'dog' (canine). Although 'wee' is regional/informal (Scottish/Irish), the adjective + noun pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.
Etymology
Wee dog comes from the Scottish and Irish word wee, which means 'small'. The phrase gives a clear picture of a tiny, friendly pet, so today wee dog simply means 'a small or affectionate dog'.