hare

 
Pronunciation: /hɛː/

noun

  • a fast-running, long-eared mammal that resembles a large rabbit, having very long hind legs and typically found in grassland or open woodland.
    • Lepus and other genera, family Leporidae: several species
  • (also electric hare) a dummy hare propelled around the track in greyhound racing.

verb

[no object, with adverbial of direction] British
  • run with great speed: he hared off between the trees

Phrases

run with the hare and hunt with the hounds

British try to remain on good terms with both sides in a conflict or dispute.

start a hare

British dated raise a topic of conversation.

Origin:

Old English hara, of Germanic origin: related to Dutch haas and German Hase