noun
pug
A person who fights as a boxer.
The veteran pug keeps his guard up throughout the fight.
Etymology
Pug is a shortening of pugilist. The longer word names a boxer and ultimately belongs to the Latin family for the fist.
More examples
- The young pug trains at the gym every morning.
- The two pugs touch gloves before the opening bell.
- A retired pug teaches the kids how to throw a jab.
Forms
pug · pugs
Similar words
- boxer
- The standard neutral term; pug is informal and old-fashioned.
- prizefighter
- Specifically a boxer who competes for money.