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Definition of springhare

springhare

/ˈsprɪŋˌhɛər/
spring · hare
Plural:springhares
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springhare Lexical Profile

springhare Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, nocturnal, burrowing rodent native to southern and eastern Africa, characterized by long hind legs, short forelimbs, and a bushy tail, which give it a kangaroo-like appearance and hopping gait.

Example

"During our night safari in the Kalahari Desert, the guide's spotlight revealed a springhare bounding rapidly across the sandy scrubland."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for springhare

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite its name, the springhare is not a true hare (a lagomorph) but rather a distinct type of large, leaping rodent.

• Nearby Words

springbok
springfield
springfish
springhare
springtail
sprinkler
sprocket

Word Origin & Etymology

A calque (loan translation) of the Afrikaans word 'springhaas', literally meaning 'jumping hare', named for its bounding locomotion and superficial resemblance to a hare.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Springhare. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/springhare
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