whelp
(for the right pronunciation of this word, please click here)
a whelp, a pup
the young of a dog or wolf,
The act of a bitch, a female of a dog, wolf, etc., giving birth to a litter of pups (or whelps) is called ‘to whelp’ or ‘whelping’, and this verb form is more commonly used than the noun form referring to the baby itself. For an illustrated article about a dog going ‘to whelp’, please click here.Figures of Speech:
(a seaman operating a capstan of a ship)
1.
whelp (noun) =
(a) a child; a reckless and ill-mannered young man
(b) a ridge or groove on the barrel of a capstan (‘capstan’ = a drum-like apparatus on a boat or ship, around which a stout rope is wound, used to lifts weights, anchors, etc.
2.
to whelp (verb) = to cause to begin, usually of evil schemes, plans…
‘Whelp’ or ‘Whelps’, always with a capital ‘W’, is rarely found in the names of people, e.g. John Whelp, Timothy Whelps, Margaret Whelp, etc. For an article that discusses the probable origin of this word as a surname, please click here & click here.
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