English Explanatory Dictionary

terrier

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A dog from a group of small, lively breeds, originally bred for the hunting of burrowing prey such as rats, rabbits, foxes, and even otters; this original function is reflected in some of their names (e.g. rat terrier).
  2. Someone displaying terrier-like qualities such as determined pursuit.
noun
  1. A collection of acknowledgments of the vassals or tenants of a lordship, containing the rents and services they owed to the lord, etc.
  2. An inventory (book or roll) in which the lands of private persons or corporations are described by their site, boundaries, number of acres, etc.; a terrar.
noun
  1. An auger or borer.

Pronunciation

/ˈtɛɹiə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-terrier.wav /ˈteɹiə/ /ˈtɛɾe.əɾ/ /ˈtɛɾi.ə/

Word forms

terrier terriers tarrier

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French chien terrier (“terrier dog”), from chien (“dog”) + Old French terrier (“of earth”, adjective), from Medieval Latin terrarius (“of earth”), from Latin terra (“earth”).

Derived words

Aberdeen terrier Airedale terrier American hairless terrier Bedlington Terrier Boston terrier Brazilian terrier bull terrier cairn terrier Cesky terrier Clydesdale terrier fox terrier Irish terrier Jack Russell terrier Kerry blue terrier Lakeland terrier Ormskirk terrier pit bull terrier rat terrier Scotch terrier Scottish terrier Sealyham terrier Skye terrier smooth fox terrier Staffordshire bull terrier teacup terrier toy fox terrier Welsh terrier West Highland White Terrier wheaten terrier wire fox terrier wire-haired terrier working terrier Yorkshire terrier
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