Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
European hare

European hare

3.8
A large wild animal like a rabbit with brown fur that stays brown in winter
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : liebre europea
  • Unlike the snowshoe hare, the European hare keeps its brown coat throughout the winter.

Examples

  • The European hare is known for its long, powerful hind legs and fast running speed.

  • The European hare is known for its long ears.

  • Scientists track the spread of the European hare in many parts of North America.

  • Many European hares can be seen in the fields.

  • The European hare is known for its long ears and strong legs.

  • In the forest, I spotted a European hare hopping across the path.

  • Farmers often see European hares in their fields during the spring.

Synonyms

Lepus europaeus
vsEuropean hare
  • Specialized
9.6

A large wild hare from Europe that keeps brown fur in winter

is the common everyday name rather than the Latin term

Surface Forms

European hare singular
European hares plural

Morphology

European + hare

The meaning ('a hare from Europe' / a species of hare associated with Europe) is directly and transparently derived from combining 'European' (connected with Europe) with 'hare' (a long-eared mammal). This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase indicating geographic origin, a pattern that is cross-linguistically common and easily understood by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

European hare simply names the fast, brown hare that originally came from Europe and nearby parts of Asia. Because people used European to show where it came from and to tell this kind of hare from others that turn white in winter, the name now means this particular brown hare.