cur

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose

A cut or curtailed dog. According to the forest laws, a man who had no right to the privilege of the chase, was obliged to cut or law his dog: among other modes of disabling him from disturbing the game, one was by depriving him of his tail: a dog so cut was called a cut or curtailed dog, and by contraction a cur. A cur is figuratively used to signify a surly fellow.

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose

← cupid, blind cupid   ×   curbing law →

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