Hare Meaning
/hɛə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAny of several plant-eating mammals of the genus Lepus, similar to a rabbit, but larger and with longer ears.
nounThe meat from this animal.
Sentence Examples
First, catch your hare, then cook him.
The hare hid behind the tree.
He is as mad as a March hare.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the hunt, the ____ used its speed and long ears to avoid capture.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We saw a large ____ dart across the field and vanish into the tall grass at the edge of the woods.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English hare, from Old English hara (“hare”), from Proto-West Germanic *hasō ~ *haʀ-, from Proto-Germanic *hesô, 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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The hare has a reputation for exciting desire. Hare soup is credited with a particular aphrodisiac value."
— 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 111:
"Ashe bit absent-mindedly into a piece of hare and swore mildly when he burned his tongue."
— 1958, Andre Norton, The Time Traders, Cleveland, Oh.; New York, N.Y.: The World Publishing Company, →LCCN, page 79:
"Hare is another delicious meat – it’s more ‘steaky’, darker and richer than rabbit."
— 2007, Jamie Oliver, Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life, London: Michael Joseph, Penguin Books, →ISBN, page 273:
"In Milan, jugged hare is flavoured with grated chocolate, which adds colour and depth to the sauce."
— 2013, Anna Del Conte, Gastronomy of Italy, London: Pavilion, →ISBN, page 109:
"But Wales somehow snaffled possession for fly-half Jones to send half-back partner Mike Phillips haring away with Stoddart in support."
— 2011 February 4, Gareth Roberts, “Wales 19-26 England”, in BBC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the hunt, the ____ used its speed and long ears to avoid capture.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We saw a large ____ dart across the field and vanish into the tall grass at the edge of the woods.