lepus cuniculus

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.
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   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}.
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   {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}.
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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.
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   Note: The cony of Scripture is thought to be {Hyrax
         Syriacus}, called also {daman}, and {cherogril}. See
         {Daman}.
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   2. A simpleton. [Obs.]
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            It is a most simple animal; whence are derived our
            usual phrases of cony and cony catcher. --Diet's Dry
                                                  Dinner (1599).
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   3. (Zool.)
      (a) An important edible West Indian fish ({Epinephelus
          apua}); the hind of Bermuda.
      (b) A local name of the burbot. [Eng.]
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