Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Spaniel?

\Span"iel\, n. [OF. espagneul, F. ['e]pagneul, espagnol Spanish, Sp. espa[~n]nol, fr. Espa[~n]a Spain, from L. Hispania.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under {Clumber}, and {Cocker}. Note: There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under {Blenheim}). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see {Clumber}). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence. As a spaniel she will on him leap. --Chaucer. 2. A cringing, fawning person. --Shak.
\Span"iel\, a. Cringing; fawning. --Shak.
\Span"iel\, v. i. To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.] --Churchill.
\Span"iel\, v. t. To follow like a spaniel. [R.]