November 28, 2009
- dogged (adjective)
- \DOG-ud\
- What does it mean?
- : stubbornly determined : tenacious
- How do you use it?
- "The children had convinced Mr. Poe to remove them from Olaf's care, but since then the count had pursued them with a dogged determination, a phrase which here means 'everywhere they went, thinking up treacherous schemes and wearing disguises to try to fool the three children.'" (Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator)
- Are you a word wiz?
As you might have already guessed, we got the word "dogged" from "dog." "Dogged" has a synonym that comes from another animal. Which of the following do you think is a synonym for "dogged"?
Dogs and mules seem to have a lot in common, if the adjectives formed from their names tell us anything about them. Both "dogged" and "mulish" have to do with being unwilling to change course or give up one's intention. "Dogged" is a more positive word that suggests that a person goes after something and never tires or quits, the way a loyal dog might do something for its owner. "Mulish" implies a thoroughly unreasonable stubbornness, and describes a person that won't listen to anyone. These words may give us a clue to why more people have dogs than mules for pets!
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