rat terrier

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A dog breed, or set of breeds, with a background as a farm dog and hunting companion.

Word forms

rat terrier rat terriers

Etymology

Named for its talent and avidity for flushing and catching rats. Useful to hunters of various game, useful to farms for pest control, and (like farm cats) inexpensive to keep because it can feed itself via its own hunting pasttime.

Synonyms

Related words

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