Gazehounds

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A category of swift dog breeds known for their exceptional sight and hunting ability, often employed in chasing game or in competitive racing
2. They are characterized by a slender, athletic build and keen eyesight, which allows them to pursue prey with speed and agility
3. Common breeds in this group include greyhounds and whippets, recognized for their grace and efficiency in speed pursuits

Etymology: "Gazehound" is a plain compound: "gaze," the noun meaning a fixed look, joined to "hound," an old word for a hunting dog. The name describes how these dogs hunt. A gazehound, also called a sighthound, relies on sharp eyesight to spot quarry and then runs it down, rather than tracking by scent as a bloodhound does. The borzoi, a long-legged Russian breed, is a familiar example. The plural "gazehounds" is simply the word with an added "s," naming more than one of these dogs. Since the word is built from two ordinary English parts, its meaning follows directly from them: a hound that hunts by looking.