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Whelp - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A whelp is a young offspring of certain animals, especially dogs or wolves. It can also refer to an inexperienced or immature person, often used in a derogatory way.

whelp

/wɛlp/ /wɛlp/

Definition:

A young offspring of a dog or other carnivorous mammal.

Synonyms:

pup, cub, offspring, youngling

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

adult, parent

Common Collocations:

lion whelp, bear whelp, wolf whelp, female whelp

Derivatives:

whelped, whelping

Usage Tips:

Use "whelp" for young animals; avoid for humans unless poetic or archaic contexts.

Common Phrases:

lion's whelp, bear whelp, wolf's whelp

Etymology:

Old English "hwelp," from Proto-Germanic *hwelpaz, meaning "young animal."

Examples:

  • 1. The lioness guarded her whelp fiercely.
  • 2. The dog will whelp in the spring.
  • 3. We found a fox whelp in the woods.
  • 4. The zookeeper fed the tiger whelp by hand.

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