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Hairy

//ˈhɛə.ɹi// adj, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having a lot of body hair.

    "a hairy man"

  2. 2
    Having a lot of fur.

    "Near-synonyms: long-haired, furry"

  3. 3
    Having hair growing from it.

    "hairy chest;   hairy back"

  4. 4
    Long-haired. uncommon

    "yelling about dirty, hairy hippies"

  5. 5
    Seeming as if hair-covered or as if consisting of hair.

    "Near-synonym: hairlike"

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    Difficult, complex, intricate, or intimidating. informal

    "It’s a hairy problem, and will probably take several weeks to sort out."

  2. 7
    Causing anxiety or fright; terrifying, scary. informal

    "Some surfers prefer the hairy thrill of a big wave."

Adjective
  1. 1
    hazardous and frightening wordnet
  2. 2
    having or covered with hair wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English hery, heeri, hary, equivalent to hair + -y. Compare Saterland Frisian hierich (“hairy”), West Frisian hierrich (“hairy”), Dutch harig (“hairy”), German Low German harig (“hairy”), German haarig (“hairy”), Swedish hårig (“hairy”), Icelandic hárugur (“hairy”). Compare also Old English hǣriht (“hairy”) and ġehǣre (“hairy”). The sense "terrifying, scary" possibly results from a blend of hair-raising and scary.

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