rabbit
rabbit Lexical Profile
rabbit Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, gregarious, burrowing herbivorous mammal of the family Leporidae, native to Europe, Africa, and the Americas, characterized by long ears, powerful hind legs for hopping, and a short, fluffy tail.
"A wild rabbit hopped across the meadow and vanished into the hedgerow."
The lean, tender meat of a rabbit used as food, often prepared by braising, roasting, or stewing.
"The traditional country bistro serves braised rabbit in a rich mustard and white wine sauce."
The soft fur or pelt of a rabbit, used in making clothing, hats, or trimmings.
"The vintage winter gloves were lined with soft rabbit for extra warmth."
• verb
British To talk at length, especially about trivial or uninteresting matters (often followed by 'on').
"He continued to rabbit on about his train journey long after everyone else had lost interest."
To hunt or trap wild rabbits.
"In the nineteenth century, villagers often went out to rabbit on the common land."
Word Nuance & Usage
In biology, rabbits and hares belong to the same family (Leporidae) but are distinct: rabbits typically dig burrows and give birth to blind, hairless young (kits), whereas hares nest above ground and have precocial young (leverets).
• Rhymes for rabbit
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English rabet, originally referring strictly to the young of the animal (while the adult was called a 'coney'), borrowed from a northern Old French dialectal word akin to Middle Dutch robbe.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.