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definitions

harelip

[ hair-lip ]
/ ˈhɛərˌlɪp /

noun

Usually Offensive. cleft lip.

Nearby words

  1. hare's-foot fern,
  2. hare-brained,
  3. harebell,
  4. harebrained,
  5. hareem,
  6. harem,
  7. harem pants,
  8. harestail,
  9. harewood,
  10. harewood house

Origin of harelip

First recorded in 1560–70; hare + lip
Related formshare·lipped, adjective
Can be confusedharebrained harelip

Usage note

The term harelip is usually perceived as insulting because it compares the deformity in humans to the normal cleft lip of a hare. The accepted term for this medical condition is cleft lip.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for harelip

harelip

/ (ˈhɛəˌlɪp) /

noun

a congenital cleft or fissure in the midline of the upper lip, resembling the cleft upper lip of a hare, often occurring with cleft palatePreferred form cleft lip
Derived Formsharelipped, adjective
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
Medicine definitions for harelip

harelip

[ hâr′lĭp′ ]

n.

cleft lip
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.