cony

Definition

A rabbit, especially the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (formerly known as Lepus cuniculus).

Etymology

From Middle English cony, back formation from conies (plural), from Anglo-Norman conis, the plural of connil (“rabbit”), from Latin cunīculus, of unknown origin. Cognate to Catalan conill, Dutch konijn, German Kaninchen, Spanish conejo, and Portuguese coelho. The original pronunciation was /ˈkʌni/ (for the spelling, compare honey and money), but the similarity to cunt (and particularly homophony with cunny) led through taboo avoidance both to the word's displacement in the main by rabbit and bunny and to the spelling-pronunciation /ˈkəʊni/ becoming standard.

Example Sentences

• "I were skynnes of conny, / That causeth I loke so donny."
• "ORLANDO. Are you native of this place? / ROSALIND. As the cony that you see / dwell where she is kindled."
• "It is a most simple animal; whence are derived our usual phrases of cony and cony catcher."