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Webster 1913 Edition

Mastiff

Mas′tiff

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Mastiffs
. [
Mastives
is irregular and unusual.]
[Prob. fr. Prov. E.
masty
, adj., large, n., a great dog, prob. fr.
mast
fruit, and hence, lit., fattened with mast. There is perh. confusion with OF.
mestif
mongrel; cf. also F.
mâtin
mastiff, OF.
mastin
.]
(Zool.)
A breed of large dogs noted for strength and courage. There are various strains, differing in form and color, and characteristic of different countries.
Mastiff bat
(Zool.)
, any bat of the genus
Molossus
; so called because the face somewhat resembles that of a mastiff.

Webster 1828 Edition

Mastiff

M`ASTIFF

,
Noun.
plu.
mastiffs. Mastives is irregular. [Low L. mastivus.] A large species of dog, remarkable for strength and courage. Strabo informs us that the mastiffs of Britain were trained for war, and used by the Gauls in battle.

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