from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rabbit \Rab"bit\ (r[a^]b"b[i^]t), n. [OE. rabet, akin to OD.
robbe, robbeken.] (Zool.)
Any of the smaller species of the genus Lepus, especially the
common European species ({Lepus cuniculus}), which is often
kept as a pet, and has been introduced into many countries.
It is remarkably prolific, and has become a pest in some
parts of Australia and New Zealand.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common American rabbit ({Lepus sylvatica}) is
similar but smaller. See {Cottontail}, and {Jack
rabbit}, under 2d {Jack}. The larger species of Lepus
are commonly called hares. See {Hare}.
[1913 Webster]
{Angora rabbit} (Zool.), a variety of the domestic rabbit
having long, soft fur.
{Rabbit burrow}, a hole in the earth made by rabbits for
shelter and habitation.
{Rabbit fish}. (Zool.)
(a) The northern chimaera ({Chimaera monstrosa}).
(b) Any one of several species of plectognath fishes, as the
bur fish, and puffer. The term is also locally applied to
other fishes.
{Rabbits' ears}. (Bot.) See {Cyclamen}.
{Rabbit warren}, a piece of ground appropriated to the
breeding and preservation of rabbits. --Wright.
{Rock rabbit}.
(a) (Zool.) See {Daman}, and {Klipdas}.
(b) the {pika}.
{Welsh rabbit}, a dish of which the chief constituents are
melted cheese over toasted bread, flavored in various
ways, as with ale, beer, milk, or spices. The name is
popularly said to be a corruption of {Welsh rare bit}, but
it is probably merely a humorous designation; -- also
called {Welsh rarebit}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cony \Co"ny\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OE. coning, conig, coni, OF.
connin, conin, connil, fr. L. cuniculus a rabbit, cony, prob.
an Hispanic word.] [Written also {coney}.]
1. (Zool.)
(a) A rabbit, esp., the European rabbit ({Lepus
cuniculus}).
(b) The chief hare.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The cony of Scripture is thought to be {Hyrax
Syriacus}, called also {daman}, and {cherogril}. See
{Daman}.
[1913 Webster]
2. A simpleton. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
It is a most simple animal; whence are derived our
usual phrases of cony and cony catcher. --Diet's Dry
Dinner (1599).
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.)
(a) An important edible West Indian fish ({Epinephelus
apua}); the hind of Bermuda.
(b) A local name of the burbot. [Eng.]
[1913 Webster]