Maltese dog n 1: breed of toy dogs having a long straight silky white coat [syn: {Maltese dog}, {Maltese terrier}, {Maltese}]
Maltese \Mal*tese"\ (m[add]l*t[=e]s" or m[add]l*t[=e]z"), prop. a. Of or pertaining to Malta or to its inhabitants. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Malta; the people of Malta. [1913 Webster] {Maltese cross}. See Illust. 5, of {Cross}. {Maltese dog} (Zool.), a breed of small terriers, having long silky white hair. The breed originated in Malta. [1913 Webster]
Maltese dog \Maltese dog\ n. (Zool.) A breed of toy dog having a long straight silky white coat; also called a {Maltese}. [WordNet 1.5]