hare

Definition

Any of several plant-eating mammals of the genus Lepus, similar to a rabbit, but larger and with longer ears.

Etymology

From Middle English hare, from Old English hara (“hare”), from Proto-West Germanic *hasō ~ *haʀ-, from Proto-Germanic *hasô, from *haswaz (“grey”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱh₂s-én-. Cognates See also West Frisian hazze, Dutch haas, German Hase, Norwegian and Swedish hare, Icelandic heri), Old English hasu, Middle High German heswe (“pale, dull”); also Welsh cannu (“to whiten”), ceinach (“hare”), Latin cānus (“white”), cascus (“old”), Old Prussian sasnis (“hare”), Pashto سوی (soe, “hare”) and Sanskrit शश (śaśa, “hare”).

Example Sentences

• "The hare has a reputation for exciting desire. Hare soup is credited with a particular aphrodisiac value."
• "Ashe bit absent-mindedly into a piece of hare and swore mildly when he burned his tongue."
• "Hare is another delicious meat – it’s more ‘steaky’, darker and richer than rabbit."