rabbit

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Synonyms 1.2.1.2 Derived terms 1.2.1.3 Translations 1.2.2 Verb 1.2.2.1 Synonyms 1.2.2.2 Translations 1.2.3 See also 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Verb 1.3.1.1 Synonyms 1.3.1.2 Translations 1.3.2 See also

[edit] English

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

[edit] Pronunciation

• AHD: (UK, US) răb'it, (Australia) răb'ət
• IPA: (UK, US) /ˈræbɪt/, (Australia) /ˈræbət/
• SAMPA: (UK, US) /"r{bIt/, (Australia) /"r{b@t/
• Rhymes: -æbɪt
• Homophones: rabbet

[edit] Etymology 1

Middle English rabet from Old French *rabot (cf French dialect rabotte 'rabbit', Walloon robète 'young cony') of Germanic origin, from Old Dutch robbe (Flemish robbe 'rabbit', Dutch rob 'rabbit'). Akin to Low Saxon robbe 'seal, sea-dog'.

[edit] Noun

rabbit (plural rabbits)

1. Several small mammals of the family Leporidae (rabbits and hares), with long ears, long hind legs and a short, fluffy tail. Confusingly, jackrabbit is a hare.

   The pioneers survived by eating the small game they could get; rabbits, squirrels and occasionally a raccoon.

2. The fur of a rabbit typically used to imitate another animal's fur.
3. A runner in a distance race whose goal is mainly to set the pace, either to tire a specific rival so that a teammate can win or to help another break a record; a pacesetter.
4. (cricket) A very poor batsman; selected as a bowler or wicket-keeper.

[edit] Synonyms

• bunny (hypocoristic, colloquial, pet name)
• coney, cony (dialect)

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to rabbit (third-person singular simple present rabbits, present participle rabbitting or rabbiting, simple past and past participle rabbitted or rabbited)

1. (intransitive) To hunt rabbits.
2. (US, intransitive) to flee.

   The informant seemed skittish, as if he was about to rabbit.

[edit] Synonyms

• (to flee): run off, scamper, bolt

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

buck cottontail doe hare

kitten warren Wikipedia article on the rabbit

[edit] Etymology 2

From Cockney rhyming slang rabbit and pork, to talk.

[edit] Verb

to rabbit (third-person singular simple present rabbits, present participle rabbitting, simple past and past participle rabbitted)

1. (British, intransitive) to talk incessantly and in a childish manner; to babble annoyingly.

   Stop your infernal rabbiting! Use proper words or nobody will listen to you!

   Commonly used in the form "to rabbit on"

[edit] Synonyms

• (to talk incessantly and childishly): babble, blather, prattle, Wikisaurus:chatter, Wikisaurus:talk

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• chew the fat
• chew the cud (British)
• shoot the breeze (US)