Hare

n. [ AS. hara; akin to D. haas, G. hase, OHG. haso, Dan. & Sw. hare, Icel. hēri, Skr. çaça. √226. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Zool.) A rodent of the genus Lepus, having long hind legs, a short tail, and a divided upper lip. It is a timid animal, moves swiftly by leaps, and is remarkable for its fecundity. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The species of hares are numerous. The common European hare is Lepus timidus. The northern or varying hare of America (Lepus Americanus), and the prairie hare (Lepus campestris), turn white in winter. In America, the various species of hares are commonly called rabbits. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) A small constellation situated south of and under the foot of Orion; Lepus. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hare and hounds, a game played by men and boys, two, called hares, having a few minutes' start, and scattering bits of paper to indicate their course, being chased by the others, called the hounds, through a wide circuit. --
Hare kangaroo (Zool.), a small Australian kangaroo (Lagorchestes Leporoides), resembling the hare in size and color, --
Hare's lettuce (Bot.), a plant of the genus Sonchus, or sow thistle; -- so called because hares are said to eat it when fainting with heat. Dr. Prior. --
Jumping hare. (Zool.) See under Jumping. --
Little chief hare, or
Crying hare. (Zool.) See Chief hare. --
Sea hare. (Zool.) See Aplysia. [ 1913 Webster ]