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wolf

wolf definition

wolf (wo̵olf)

noun pl. wolves (wo̵olvz)

1. any of various wild canine carnivores (genus Canis), esp. the gray wolf, widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere: domestic dogs are thought to be descended from wolves
2. the fur of a wolf
1. a fierce, cruel, or greedy person
2. ☆ Slang a man who flirts aggressively with many women
1. the dissonance of some chords on an organ, piano, etc. that has been tuned in a system of unequal temperament; also, a chord in which such dissonance is heard
2. an unsteadiness or breaking of certain tones in instruments of the violin group, due to faulty vibration

Etymology: ME < OE wulf, akin to Ger wolf, ON ulfr, Goth wulfs < IE base *wḷp-, *lup-, name of animals of prey > L lupus, Gr lykos

transitive verb wolfed, wolfing wolf′·ing

to eat ravenously, as a wolf does: often with down

wolf Idioms

cry wolf

to give a false alarm

keep the wolf from the door

to provide the necessities of life in sufficient quantity to prevent privation

wolf in sheep's clothing

a person who hides malicious intent under a benign manner: see Matt. 7:15

Wolf definition

Wolf (vō̂lf)