Whether referring to a dog or an action, 'hound' centers on the concept of a persistent, focused chase.
Mot en 30 secondes
- A breed of dog used for hunting and tracking.
- To pester or harass someone relentlessly and annoyingly.
- Commonly used to describe aggressive media or debt collection.
Overview
'Hound' is a versatile English word with roots in hunting traditions. While its primary noun form refers to specific breeds of dogs known for their tracking abilities, its metaphorical verb form is widely used in modern English to describe relentless pursuit. 2) Usage Patterns: As a noun, it is often specific (e.g., 'a pack of hounds'). As a verb, it is typically followed by an object and often a prepositional phrase, such as 'hounding someone for money' or 'hounding someone about a deadline.' 3) Common Contexts: You will frequently see the verb form in news headlines regarding the paparazzi or debt collectors. In literature, it is used to describe a character being pursued by their past or by a literal predator. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'pursue' is a neutral term for following someone, 'hound' carries a negative connotation of being bothersome or relentless. It differs from 'harass' in that 'hound' implies a chase or a constant following, whereas 'harass' can include a wider range of offensive behaviors.
Exemples
The fox escaped before the hounds could catch the scent.
everydayThe fox escaped before the hunting dogs could catch the scent.
Creditors will hound you until the debt is settled.
formalCreditors will pursue you relentlessly until the debt is settled.
My mom is hounding me to clean my room.
informalMy mom is constantly pestering me to clean my room.
The investigative journalist hounded the corporation for internal documents.
academicThe investigative journalist persistently pursued the corporation for internal documents.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
hound dog
a hunting dog (also a term of endearment or insult)
release the hounds
to set pursuers after someone
Souvent confondu avec
To hunt is to search for or kill for food; to hound is to specifically pester or chase a target.
To haunt is what a ghost does to a house; to hound is what a person or dog does to a target.
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
The verb 'hound' is often used in the passive voice (e.g., 'He was hounded by the media'). It is appropriate for both casual conversation and journalistic writing, but might be too informal for a strictly scientific report unless referring to the animal.
Erreurs courantes
A common mistake is using 'hound' to mean 'to search' generally. It must involve a target that is being pursued or bothered. Another mistake is using it for any dog; it specifically implies a hunting breed.
Tips
Use it for persistent social pressure
If someone keeps asking you the same question every day, you can say they are 'hounding' you for an answer.
Don't confuse with 'hunt'
To 'hunt' is the act of searching for something; to 'hound' is the act of chasing or pestering someone specifically.
Literary Hounds
The word is famous in English literature, most notably in Sherlock Holmes' 'The Hound of the Baskervilles,' symbolizing a terrifying pursuer.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Old English 'hund,' which originally meant any dog. Over time, the noun became specific to hunting breeds, and the verb developed from the way these dogs pursue prey.
Contexte culturel
In many English-speaking cultures, 'hound' is associated with traditional fox hunting in the UK. In modern pop culture, it is frequently associated with 'paparazzi' culture.
Astuce mémo
Think of a 'hound dog' like Elvis sang—always sniffing around and following a trail. If someone 'hounds' you, they are acting like a dog on a scent trail that won't give up.
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNot exactly. While all hounds are dogs, not all dogs are hounds; the term refers specifically to hunting breeds like Beagles or Bloodhounds.
Yes, it almost always implies that the pursuit is unwanted, annoying, or stressful for the person being hounded.
It is a specific type of hound that tracks prey primarily by smell rather than by sight.
Technically yes, but the word still suggests the method is irritating, such as hounding a friend to come to a fun party.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'hound'.
The debt collectors continued to ___ him until he paid the bill.
The infinitive 'to hound' is required after 'continued to'.
Which of the following is the best synonym for the verb 'hound'?
The paparazzi began to hound the actress.
'Pester' matches the meaning of bothering someone persistently.
Put the words in the correct order.
me / stop / about / hounding / homework / my
The standard structure is 'Stop' + verb-ing + object + prepositional phrase.
🎉 Score : /3
Summary
Whether referring to a dog or an action, 'hound' centers on the concept of a persistent, focused chase.
- A breed of dog used for hunting and tracking.
- To pester or harass someone relentlessly and annoyingly.
- Commonly used to describe aggressive media or debt collection.
Use it for persistent social pressure
If someone keeps asking you the same question every day, you can say they are 'hounding' you for an answer.
Don't confuse with 'hunt'
To 'hunt' is the act of searching for something; to 'hound' is the act of chasing or pestering someone specifically.
Literary Hounds
The word is famous in English literature, most notably in Sherlock Holmes' 'The Hound of the Baskervilles,' symbolizing a terrifying pursuer.
Exemples
4 sur 4The fox escaped before the hounds could catch the scent.
The fox escaped before the hunting dogs could catch the scent.
Creditors will hound you until the debt is settled.
Creditors will pursue you relentlessly until the debt is settled.
My mom is hounding me to clean my room.
My mom is constantly pestering me to clean my room.
The investigative journalist hounded the corporation for internal documents.
The investigative journalist persistently pursued the corporation for internal documents.
