Definition of hare

The origin of the word "hare" in the English language can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as "hære" or "hæra." This word is believed to have descended from a common Germanic root, which can also be found in the Old Frisian word "hara" and the Old Saxon word "hara." The exact meaning of this Germanic root is uncertain, but it is believed to have referred to the brown or gray fur found on the backs of many European rabbits, as well as on the hind legs of hares. This root is also thought to have been indirectly related to the verb "heran" (meaning "to crawl, to creep"), which may have helped to reinforce the idea of these animals moving with a certain stealth or furtiveness. As the English language evolved, the word "hare" came to be associated more specifically with larger, faster-moving rabbits, rather than with the smaller, more furtive creatures that were often lumped together with them. Today, the word "hare" is used to describe several species of long-eared, swift-moving mammals found in Europe, Asia, and North America, including the European brown hare, the Arctic hare, and the snowshoe hare. The word "rabbit" is typically used to describe smaller, more commonly domesticated varieties of the same family, found primarily in Europe and Oceania. In summary, the word "hare" in English can be traced back to a common Germanic root, which may have referred to the brown or gray fur found on some varieties of European rabbits. As the English language evolved, the word came to be more specifically associated with larger, faster-moving rabbits, and today is used to describe several species of hares found throughout the world.