Definition of LEPORINE

leporine

Plural: leporines

Adj

  • Of, relating to, or characteristic of a hare or a rabbit.

Noun

  • Synonym of leporid (“any mammal of the family Leporidae: the hares and rabbits”).
  • A supposed hybrid between a hare and a rabbit, now known not to exist; a leporide.

Adjective

  • Pertaining to or resembling a rabbit or hare.

Examples

  • His leporine ears perked up at the mention of dessert.
  • With a LEPORINE swiftness, she found a seven-letter word before her opponent could react.

Origin / Etymology

The adjective is a learned borrowing from Latin leporīnus + English -ine (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’). Leporīnus is derived from leporis (the genitive singular form of lepus (“hare”)) + -īnus (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’).
The noun is derived from the adjective.

Scrabble Score: 10

leporine: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
leporine: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
leporine: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

leporine: valid Words With Friends Word