1. Adjective
Any one of several species of wild and savage carnivores belonging to the genus Canis and closely allied to the common dog. The best-known and most destructive species are the European wolf (Canis lupus), the American gray, or timber, wolf (C. occidentalis), and the prairie wolf, or coyote. Wolves often hunt in packs, and may thus attack large animals and even man.
2. Adjective
One of the destructive, and usually hairy, larvae of several species of beetles and grain moths; as, the bee wolf.
3. Adjective
Fig.: Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially, want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door.
4. Adjective
A white worm, or maggot, which infests granaries.
5. Adjective
An eating ulcer or sore. Cf. Lupus.
6. Adjective
The harsh, howling sound of some of the chords on an organ or piano tuned by unequal temperament.
7. Adjective
In bowed instruments, a harshness due to defective vibration in certain notes of the scale.
8. Adjective
A willying machine.
9. Noun
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
Vocabulary classified under Nature and environment
More about this word
Synonyms and related words
Explore this word
