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lurcher

[lur-cher]
noun
  1. a crossbred dog used especially by poachers.
  2. Archaic. a person who lurks or prowls, as a thief or poacher.
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Origin of lurcher

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at lurch3, -er1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lurcher

Historical Examples of lurcher

  • The lurcher closed in, and drove her thither at tremendous speed.

    Creatures of the Night

    Alfred W. Rees

  • At every halt he made they pressed closer upon the “Lurcher.”

  • But she was interested in Lurcher for his own miserable sake, too.

  • And poor old Mr. Lurcher is only unfortunate and half-blind.

  • “I do hope you are keeping off the street this weather, Mr. Lurcher,” she said.

British Dictionary definitions for lurcher

lurcher

noun
  1. a crossbred hunting dog, usually a greyhound cross with a collie, esp one trained to hunt silently
  2. archaic a person who prowls or lurks
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Word Origin for lurcher

C16: from lurch ³
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