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lapdog

lapdog

18 3.0
A small dog that sits on someone's lap as a pet
  • noun
  • /ˈlæpˌdɔɡ/
translation icon : perro faldero
  • women with lapdogs

Examples

  • A woman walking a white lapdog on a piece of ribbon.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • You're such a little lapdog.

  • Even then I scoot along after you like an obliging little lapdog.

  • Jim is the boss's lapdog and architectural consultant extraordinaire!

  • At the name, Ratty becomes alert, a lapdog anticipating his master's arrival.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I love to cuddle with my little lapdog while watching TV.

  • The tiny lapdog lay comfortably on her owner's lap as they read.

  • During the cold winter months, he always keeps his lapdog close for warmth.

Synonyms

dog
vslapdog
1.0

An animal people keep as a pet that also helps with work like hunting or guarding

is a very small companion variety especially notable for being held
pet
vslapdog
754 1.0

An animal kept at home for company and enjoyment

is a tiny companion animal specifically small enough to be carried or held
doggie
vslapdog
  • Baby Talk
88 3.7

A child's friendly word for a dog

is the specific tiny companion form meant to be held rather than general affection
pooch
vslapdog
  • Informal
49 7.7

A small friendly dog kept as a pet

is a tiny, especially held, companion variant rather than any informal reference
toy
vslapdog
46 4.2

A very small dog kept mainly as a pet

is defined by size that allows being held by a person
doggy
vslapdog
  • Baby Talk
31 4.6

A childish word for a pet animal that people walk and play with

is specifically a very small companion type often carried or held
poochie
vslapdog
  • Informal
3 8.2

A small pet dog that people call a cute name

is specifically for tiny companions that owners often carry or hold
domestic dog
vslapdog
1 1.0

A dog people keep as a pet or to do work

is a particular very small companion form designed to be held
toy dog
vslapdog
1 3.2

A very small dog that people breed and keep as a pet in homes

is smaller and often small enough to be held by a person
doggo
vslapdog
  • Slang
9.0

A dog often shown in funny pictures or posts online

is the specific small companion form meant to be held rather than playful internet speech

How Small

toy dog
1 3.2
lapdog
18 3.0

Surface Forms

lapdog singular
lapdogs plural

Morphology

lapdog = lap + dog (transparent) = lap + dog

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from 'lap' + 'dog' (a dog that sits on a person's lap).

Etymology

The word lapdog comes from the simple parts lap and dog, and lap means the 'top of your legs' when you sit. So a lapdog is a dog small enough to sit on your lap and be held as a pet.