English Explanatory Dictionary

mastiff

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. One of an old breed of powerful, deep-chested, and smooth-coated dogs, used chiefly as watchdogs and guard dogs.
noun
  1. Alternative letter-case form of mastiff.

Pronunciation

/ˈmæstɪf/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-mastiff.wav

Word forms

mastiff mastiffs mastives

Etymology

From Middle English mastif, mastyf, an aberrant derivation (with influence from Old French mestif) from Old French mastin (modern French mâtin), from Vulgar Latin *mansuetinus (“tamed (animal)”), from Latin mansuetus (“tamed”).

Derived words

Daniff Dutch mastiff mastiff bat mini mastiff western mastiff bat
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