Pekinese

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A small breed of dog characterized by a flat face, long flowing coat, and a lion-like mane with origins linked to ancient Chinese royalty
2. A compact canine known for its distinctive pushed-in nose, abundant fur around the head resembling a lion's ruff, and a history tied to Beijing aristocracy
3. A diminutive dog breed notable for its brachycephalic skull shape, luxurious and dense coat forming a mane-like collar, and traditional association with Chinese imperial households

Etymology: The dog is named for a city, though not the one most people expect from the spelling. "Peking" is the older Postal Map romanization of Beijing, the Chinese capital, and "-ese" is the English suffix used to form adjectives and nouns of origin, as in "Japanese" or "Maltese." So the breed's name simply means "of Peking," and it is the same placename that Beijing later replaced in English. The alternative spelling "pekinese" is a lowercase variant of the standard "Pekingese," which keeps the capital letter of a proper noun. The "-ese" ending attaches to many place names, so the formation is regular rather than a special invention for the dog.

Synonyms: pug, chihuahua, shih tzu, lhasa apso, toy dog