whelpy

English

Etymology 1

From whelp +‎ -y.

Adjective

whelpy (comparative whelpier or more whelpy, superlative whelpiest or most whelpy)

1. Like or relating to a whelp (cub or puppy).
   • 2015, Celine Keating, Play for Me:

     A small, whelpy moan escaped from her, embarrassing her.

   • 2017, Andrea Hayes, Dog Tales:

     I was so nervous as I tried to hand-feed him, mixing up his whelpy drink, which has all the nutrients he would get from his mum if he were still nursing, and then trying him on slushy solid foods.

Etymology 2

Origin uncertain. Perhaps an alteration of welt +‎ -y; or from dialectal English whelpy meaning "sour, rancid".

Adjective

whelpy (comparative whelpier or more whelpy, superlative whelpiest or most whelpy)

1. Festering or having welts or wheals; attery, purulent.
   • 1988, T. R. Pearson, The Last of how it was, page 48:

     […] the way from his breakfast room to Grandmomma's back door but as silverware and a garden spade and whelpy bee bites had not figured into his speculations […]

   • 1999, David Markson, Springer's Progress, page 212:

     Stunning, worst comes to worst Springer'll bind off his whelpy first draft that way.

   • 2007, John Breed, Bethany Breed Martin, Mac a Book of Hope, page 29:

     Mac is really feeling no pain, but she is lethargic and naps a couple of times a day. Also, she has a bright red, whelpy-looking rash on her upper chest around her neck. I'm going to get her some Benadryl cream, right now!

   • 2012, Jenny B. Jones, A Charmed Life, page 521:

     A little whelpy. No big deal.” “Makeup will cover it up, right?”

   • 2020, Leslie C. Dunn, Performing Disability in Early Modern English Drama, page 174:

     […] In a letter marked January 29, 1640, Descartes debated the reality of this post-rabies-whelpy-discharge, […]