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]