I. ˈrabə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s ; see sense 1 )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English rabet, probably from Walloon robett, robete, from Middle Dutch robbe rabbit + Walloon -ett, -ete -et
1. plural also rabbit
a. : a small grayish brown mammal ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) that differs from the related hares in its burrowing habits and in having the young born naked and helpless, is native to southern Europe and northern Africa but has been introduced into various other regions where it is often a pest because of its rapid reproduction, and has developed under domestication many varieties differing from the wild form in size, conformation, and coloring and variously adapted to the production of meat and fur or for pet and show stock
b. : any of various hares — often used in combination
jack rabbit
c. : the fur of the rabbit often processed and dyed to imitate other furs
2. Britain : a weak player (as in tennis) ; specifically : a cricketer who is not a good batsman
3. : welsh rabbit
4. : broccoli brown
5.
a. : a figure of a rabbit sped mechanically along the edge of a dog track as an object of pursuit
b. : a small container usually moved pneumatically for transferring radioactive samples in an atomic-energy plant or laboratory
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to hunt rabbits
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of rat (III)
: confound , drat — used as an expletive
IV. noun
: a runner in a long-distance race who sets a fast pace in the first part of the race usually to help a teammate win
V. ˈrabə̇t, usually -əd.ˌV intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: from rabbit-and-pork , rhyming slang for talk
Britain : to talk idly or incessantly — often used with on
look at the way we go rabbiting on about our wonderful system of justice — The People