Hampshire

[hamp-sheer, -sher]

noun

Also called Hants. a county in S England. 1460 sq. mi. (3780 sq. km).
Also called Hampshire Down. one of an English breed of sheep having a dark face, ears, and legs, noted for the rapid growth of its lambs.
one of an English breed of black hogs having a broad band of white over the shoulders and front legs.

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British Dictionary definitions for hampshire down

Hampshire Down

noun

a breed of stocky sheep having a dark face and dense close wool, originating from Hampshire, S England

Hampshire

noun

a county of S England, on the English Channel: crossed by the Hampshire Downs and the South Downs, with the New Forest in the southwest and many prehistoric and Roman remains: the geographical and ceremonial county includes Portsmouth and Southampton, which became independent unitary authorities in 1997. Administrative centre: Winchester. Pop (excluding unitary authorities): 1 251 000 (2003 est). Area (excluding unitary authorities): 3679 sq km (1420 sq miles)Abbreviation: Hants

Hampshire

noun

Sir Stuart. 1914–2004, British philosopher: his publications include Thought and Action (1959), Two Theories of Morality (1977), and Innocence and Experience (1989)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hampshire down

Hampshire

reduced from Old English Hamtunscir; named for the city of Southampton, which originally was simply Hamtun. Norman scribes mangled the county name to Hauntunescire, later Hantescire, hence the abbrev. Hants.