Hare v. t. To excite; to tease, harass, or worry; to harry. [Obs.]
Hare, n.
1. Zool. A rodent of the genus Lepus, having long hind legs, a short tail, and a divided upper lip. It is a timid animal, moves swiftly by leaps, and is remarkable for its fecundity.
Note: ☞ The species of hares are numerous. The common European hare is Lepus timidus. The northern or varying hare of America (Lepus Americanus), and the prairie hare (Lepus campestris), turn white in winter. In America, the various species of hares are commonly called rabbits.
2. Astron. A small constellation situated south of and under the foot of Orion; Lepus.
Hare and hounds, a game played by men and boys, two, called hares, having a few minutes' start, and scattering bits of paper to indicate their course, being chased by the others, called the hounds, through a wide circuit.
Hare kangaroo Zool., a small Australian kangaroo (Lagorchestes Leporoides), resembling the hare in size and color,
Hare's lettuce Bot., a plant of the genus Sonchus, or sow thistle; -- so called because hares are said to eat it when fainting with heat. --Dr. Prior.
Jumping hare. Zool. See under Jumping.
Little chief hare, or Crying hare. Zool. See Chief hare.
Sea hare. Zool. See Aplysia.
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hare
n 1: swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a
divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred
and with open eyes
2: flesh of any of various rabbits or hares (wild or
domesticated) eaten as food [syn: rabbit]
v : run quickly, like a hare; "He hared down the hill"
Hare
(Heb. 'arnebeth) was prohibited as food according to the Mosaic
law (Lev. 11:6; Deut. 14:7), "because he cheweth the cud, but
divideth not the hoof." The habit of this animal is to grind its
teeth and move its jaw as if it actually chewed the cud. But,
like the cony (q.v.), it is not a ruminant with four stomachs,
but a rodent like the squirrel, rat, etc. Moses speaks of it
according to appearance. It is interdicted because, though
apparently chewing the cud, it did not divide the hoof.
There are two species in Syria, (1) the Lepus Syriacus or
Syrian hare, which is like the English hare; and (2) the Lepus
Sinaiticus, or hare of the desert. No rabbits are found in
Syria.