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Terrier

//ˈtɛɹiə(ɹ)// noun

Definitions

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
A collection of acknowledgments of the vassals or tenants of a lordship, containing the rents and services they owed to the lord, etc. historical
3
An auger or borer.
4
any of several usually small short-bodied breeds originally trained to hunt animals living underground wordnet
5
Someone displaying terrier-like qualities such as determined pursuit.
"One of the LNER dispatch staff is a terrier when it comes to masks, challenging anyone without them."

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6
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.

Etymology

Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman terrier, from Old French terrier (“of earth”, adjective), from Medieval Latin terrarius (“of earth”), from Latin terra (“earth”).

Etymology 3

Compare Latin terō (“to rub, to rub away”), terebra (“a borer”).

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