Etymology From Middle English hare, from Old English hara (“hare”), from Proto-West Germanic *hasō ~ *haʀ-, from Proto-Germanic *hesô, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱh₂s-én-; possibly related to or influenced by Proto-Germanic *haswaz (“grey”). Cognates See also West Frisian hazze, Dutch haas, German Hase, Norwegian and Swedish hare, Icelandic heri), Old English hasu, Middle High German heswe (“pale, dull”); also Welsh cannu (“to whiten”), ceinach (“hare”), Latin cānus (“white”), cascus (“old”), Old Prussian sasnis (“hare”), Pashto سوی (soe, “hare”) and Sanskrit शश (śaśa, “hare”).
1
Any of several plant-eating mammals of the genus Lepus, similar to a rabbit, but larger and with longer ears.
The hare has a reputation for exciting desire. Hare soup is credited with a particular aphrodisiac value.1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 111:
2
The meat from this animal.
Ashe bit absent-mindedly into a piece of hare and swore mildly when he burned his tongue.1958, Andre Norton, The Time Traders, Cleveland, Oh.; New York, N.Y.: The World Publishing Company, →LCCN, page 79:
Hare is another delicious meat – it’s more ‘steaky’, darker and richer than rabbit.2007, Jamie Oliver, Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life, London: Michael Joseph, Penguin Books, →ISBN, page 273:
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In Milan, jugged hare is flavoured with grated chocolate, which adds colour and depth to the sauce.2013, Anna Del Conte, Gastronomy of Italy, London: Pavilion, →ISBN, page 109:
3
The player in a paperchase, or hare and hounds game, who leaves a trail of paper to be followed.
Etymology From Middle English hare, from Old English hara (“hare”), from Proto-West Germanic *hasō ~ *haʀ-, from Proto-Germanic *hesô, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱh₂s-én-; possibly related to or influenced by Proto-Germanic *haswaz (“grey”). Cognates See also West Frisian hazze, Dutch haas, German Hase, Norwegian and Swedish hare, Icelandic heri), Old English hasu, Middle High German heswe (“pale, dull”); also Welsh cannu (“to whiten”), ceinach (“hare”), Latin cānus (“white”), cascus (“old”), Old Prussian sasnis (“hare”), Pashto سوی (soe, “hare”) and Sanskrit शश (śaśa, “hare”).
1
To move swiftly.
But Wales somehow snaffled possession for fly-half Jones to send half-back partner Mike Phillips haring away with Stoddart in support.2011 February 4, Gareth Roberts, “Wales 19-26 England”, in BBC:
Desperate, Kim hurls his phone overarm at the creature's forehead. It's a solid chunk of metal and it's a dead hit. Grey reels backwards and cracks his skull against the wall. By the time he recovers, Kim is out of sight, haring away down the left corridor, just echoing, fading footsteps on concrete.2015–2021, qntm, “Introductory Antimemetics”, in There Is No Antimemetics Division, →ISBN, page 21:
Etymology From Middle English hore, from Old English hār (“hoar, hoary, grey, old”), from Proto-Germanic *hairaz (“grey”). Cognate with German hehr (“noble, sublime”).
To hare and rate them thus at every turn, is not to teach them, but to vex, and torment them to no purpoſe.1693, John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education: