Beagles

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small breed of hound known for its exceptional tracking ability and strong hunting instincts, often characterized by a sociable nature and playful energy, making them favored as family companions
2. This breed of dog is distinguished by its sharp sense of smell and energetic personality, commonly used for hunting and tracking due to their robust instincts and friendly demeanor, ideal for family settings
3. A compact hunting dog breed prized for its acute scent detection and lively, friendly behavior

Etymology: The dog's name is one of English's stubborn mysteries. Its earliest form, Middle English "begel," is attested only in the plural "begles," and nobody has settled where it came from. One candidate is a French insult, "beegueule," built from "beer" (to gape) and "gueule" (gullet), a label for someone who always stands with their mouth hanging open. The French word "bégueule" still means a prude, though the link to the dog is unproven. A second theory is more surprising. It proposes that "beagle" is a altered form of "bedel," or "beadle," the medieval parish officer who acted as a constable or detective. Sound changes that turn a "t" or "d" into a "k" or "g" before an "l" are well documented in English, as in "hurkle" for "hurtle" and "turkle" for "turtle," so the shift is plausible. Neither theory can be confirmed, so the dog's name remains open.