Hog

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /hɒɡ/

Definitions

1. A large domesticated pig, or to take or use selfishly without sharing with others
2. A domesticated swine known for its size, or to selfishly monopolize something, denying others access or sharing opportunities
3. A type of large farm animal recognized for its bulk, or the act of greedy utilization or consumption at the expense of others

Etymology: The most surprising twist is that the animal may be named for a haircut. Old English "hogg" probably derives from a Germanic verb meaning "to hew, cut," and the original sense was a castrated male pig, "the cut one." The same logic produces "hogget," a castrated male sheep, so the animal's name records an act performed on it rather than its species. Scholars are not fully settled on this. An alternative proposal traces the word to a Brythonic (ancient Celtic) source, linking it to Welsh "hwch" ("sow") and Cornish "hogh" ("pig"). Either way, the word has been used for pigs since Old English. The verb sense, to selfishly take up more than one's share, is a separate development from the noun. It is a later extension of the animal's reputation for greedy feeding. A different "hog" also exists as a clipped form of "quahog," a North American clam.

Synonyms: pig, swine, boar, sow, pork

Antonyms: human, person