rab·bit (răb'ĭt)
n., pl., -bits, or rabbit.

1. Any of various long-eared, short-tailed, burrowing mammals of the family Leporidae, as the commonly domesticated Old World species Oryctolagus cuniculus or the cottontail.
2. A hare.
3. The fur of a rabbit or hare.
4. Sports. A runner who intentionally sets a fast pace for a teammate during a long-distance race.

intr.v., -bit·ed, -bit·ing, -bits.
To hunt rabbits or hares.

[Middle English rabet, young rabbit, probably from Old French, from Middle Dutch robbe, rabbit.]

rabbiter rab'bit·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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