greyhound

Meaning

Noun

1. A lean breed of dog used in hunting and racing.
2. A highball cocktail of vodka and grapefruit juice.
3. (dated) A swift steamer, especially an ocean steamer.

Verb

To leap rapidly across the surface of the water.

Synonyms

Russian wolfhound

whippet

borzoi

sighthound

harrier

bloodhound

pointer

long-distance bus

hound

coach

courser

gazehound

Translations

Windhund

windhond

levriere

galgo

galgo

lévrier

hazewind

hazewindhond

levrette

llebrer

tazı

lebréu

λαγωνικό

levriero

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɡɹeɪhaʊnd/

Etymology

Inherited from Old English: grīġhund

Cognate with Old Norse: grøy

Cognate with Icelandic: grey

In summary

From Old English grīġhund, from a cognate or borrowing of Old Norse grøy (“bitch”) (whence Icelandic grey, thus not related to the colour grey) plus hund (“hound”). Altered by folk etymology to appear to be grey + hound.