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Whelp: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿถ
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whelp

 

[ wษ›lp ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

young animal

A whelp is a young offspring of a dog or another carnivorous mammal, especially during the first few weeks after birth. It is commonly used when referring to puppies, but can also apply to the young of certain wild animals. Whelps are known for their rapid growth and development during early life stages.

Synonyms

cub, pup, puppy, youngling

Examples of usage

  • The whelp followed its mother closely.
  • Veterinarians conducted a checkup on the litter of whelps.
  • She fostered a whelp that had been abandoned.
  • The whelp played joyfully with its siblings.
Context #2 | Verb

give birth

To whelp means to give birth to whelps, especially in reference to dogs. When a dog is said to whelp, it signifies that she is in labor and is delivering her puppies. This term is often used in breeding and veterinary contexts.

Synonyms

birth, bring forth, deliver, produce

Examples of usage

  • The dog whelped five healthy puppies.
  • She was anxious as her dog began to whelp.
  • After hours of waiting, the dog finally whelped the first pup.
  • Whelping can be a challenging process for new mothers.

Translations

Translations of the word "whelp" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น filhote

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคฟเคฒเฅเคฒเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Welpe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ anak anjing

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‰ะตะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ szczeniak

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅญ็Šฌ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท chiot

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cachorro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yavru

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ•์•„์ง€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฌุฑูˆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลกtฤ›nฤ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลกteniatko

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฐ็‹—

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kuลพa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hvolpur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‰ะตะฝะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒขแƒแƒ แƒ แƒซแƒแƒฆแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ puppy

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cachorro

Etymology

The word 'whelp' originates from the Old English word 'whelp', which has Germanic roots and is connected to similar words in Old High German ('weppy') and in other Germanic languages. The term has been in use since before the 12th century, initially referring to the young of various animals, especially dogs. Over time, its primary association became linked to canines, highlighting the nurturing aspects of motherhood in the animal kingdom. The usage as a verb to describe the act of giving birth is also derived from this historical context, illustrating a straightforward linguistic evolution reflecting early human interactions with domestic animals.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,398 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.