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Glite Dictionary
Maltese terrier

Maltese terrier

3.5
A small pet dog with long silky white hair
  • noun
  • /mɔːlˈtiːz ˈtɛriər/
translation icon : terrier maltés
  • Many owners enjoy grooming their Maltese terrier to keep its white coat looking pristine.

Examples

  • Her family adopted a playful Maltese terrier from the animal shelter.

  • The Maltese terrier is prized for its elegant appearance and affectionate nature.

  • The Maltese terrier is known for its playful nature.

  • My Maltese terrier loves to cuddle on the couch.

  • The Maltese terrier is known for its long, silky white coat and playful personality.

  • When we visit the dog park, everyone admires my Maltese terrier's beautiful fur.

  • She carries her Maltese terrier in a stylish bag while shopping in the city.

Synonyms

Maltese
vsMaltese terrier
1 5.0

A small toy dog with a long, straight white coat

is the fuller two-word name that specifies the animal type
Maltese dog
vsMaltese terrier
2.7

A very small dog with long, straight white silky fur

is a single-word form used instead of the two-word name

Surface Forms

Maltese terrier singular
Maltese terriers plural

Morphology

Maltese + terrier

The phrase combines two literal noun constituents: 'Maltese' (a named/small dog breed) and 'terrier' (a small energetic dog type), so the meaning of a specific small dog breed is directly derivable from the parts. This compositional naming pattern is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The name Maltese terrier comes from Maltese, meaning from the island of Malta, and the word terrier, a name for a type of small dog. That image of a little white dog from Malta is why the name now means 'a small toy dog with a long, silky white coat'.