Definition of TERRIER

terrier

Meanings

Plural: terriers

Noun

  • any of several usually small short-bodied breeds originally trained to hunt animals living underground
  • A dog from a group of small, lively breeds, originally bred for the hunting of burrowing prey such as rats, rabbits, foxes, and even otters; this original function is reflected in some of their names (e.g. rat terrier).
  • Someone displaying terrier-like qualities such as determined pursuit.
  • A collection of acknowledgments of the vassals or tenants of a lordship, containing the rents and services they owed to the lord, etc.
  • An inventory (book or roll) in which the lands of private persons or corporations are described by their site, boundaries, number of acres, etc.; a terrar.
  • An auger or borer.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French chien terrier (“terrier dog”), from chien (“dog”) + Old French terrier (“of earth”, adjective), from Medieval Latin terrarius (“of earth”), from Latin terra (“earth”).

Scrabble Score: 7

terrier is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
terrier is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
terrier is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

terrier is a valid Words With Friends word