sheep-biter
sheep-biter · sheep-biters
A sheepdog that worries sheepA sheepdog that worries (chases or attacks) sheep.
Meaning
2 senses(obsolete)A sheepdog that worries (chases or attacks) sheep.
(derogatory, figuratively, obsolete)A contemptible person, especially one who practices petty thefts.
Origin
sheep + biter (“one who bites”). Figurative term possibly influenced by the fable "De canesheep + biter (“one who bites”). Figurative term possibly influenced by the fable "De cane oves domini sui occidente, a quo suspensus est" in Hecatomythium by Laurentius Abstemius (later included with Aesop's Fables as "A Sheep-Biter Hang'd" — see quotations).
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Forms
plural: sheep-bitersSynonyms
1 synonymsgit and Thesaurus:thief
Word family
2 related wordsRelatedbitesheep
Derivedsheep-biting