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Glite Dictionary
wirehaired terrier

wirehaired terrier

6.1
A small dog with a rough, stiff coat of hair
  • noun
  • /ˈwaɪərˌhɛrd ˈtɛriər/
translation icon : terrier de pelo duro
  • The wirehaired terrier is known for its energetic personality.

Examples

  • Many people appreciate the spirited personality of the wirehaired terrier.

  • My neighbors just adopted a playful wirehaired terrier from the local shelter.

  • The wirehaired terrier won first place at the dog show for its distinctive coat.

  • Many families love the wirehaired terrier for its friendly nature.

  • My friend has a playful wirehaired terrier that loves to dig in the garden.

  • The wirehaired terrier is known for its energetic personality and distinctive coat.

  • At the dog show, her wirehaired terrier won first prize for best in breed.

Synonyms

wirehair
vswirehaired terrier
1 8.1

A dog, often a terrier, with short stiff hair

is the specific breed with a rough wiry coat not any dog
wire-haired terrier
vswirehaired terrier
3.9

A small dog with rough, stiff hair

is the same but called a breed rather than a general type

Surface Forms

wirehaired terrier singular
wirehaired terriers plural

Morphology

wirehaired + terrier

The compound is compositionally transparent: 'wirehaired' denotes having hair like wire (parallel to common patterns such as 'long-haired' or 'short-haired') and 'terrier' names a small dog breed, so the phrase literally means a terrier with a wiry, rough coat. This adjective+noun pattern is regular in English and across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent elements would likely infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The name wirehaired terrier comes from the dog's rough coat that feels like wire and the word terrier, a small hunting dog. So the name describes 'a breed of terrier with a rough, wiry coat'.