whelp (hwelp)

[Also Sc. whalp; They [sharks] spawne not, but whelp , like the Dogge or Wolfe, and at night or to war des stormes receiue their young into their mouthes for safetie. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 902. It is a Bitch-otter, and she has lately whelp'd . I. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 60. II. trans . To bring forth, as a bitch, lione , and many beasts of prey; hence, to give birth to; originate: used in contempt. Then said Lycurgus, you are witne es that these two dogges were whelpt in one day,... of one syre and dam. Guevara , Letters (tr. by Hellowes, 1577), p. 22. Did thy foul fancy whelp so foul a scheme Of hopes abortive? Young, Night Thoughts, vii. 901. He was nane o' Scotland's dogs, But whalpit some place far abroad, Whare sailors gang to fish for cod. Burns, The Twa Dogs. The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: The Century dictionary wheme