terrier

[ ter-ee-er ]

/ ˈtɛr i ər /

noun

any of several breeds of usually small dogs, used originally to pursue game and drive it out of its hole or burrow.

(initial capital letter) U.S. Military. a surface-to-air, two-stage antiaircraft missile.

Nearby words

terret, terri, terrible, terribly, terricolous, terrier, terrific, terrify, terrifying, terrigenous, terrine

Origin of terrier

1400–50; < Middle French, short for chien terrier literally, dog of the earth (< Medieval Latin terrārius; see terra, -ier²); so called because used to start badgers from their burrows; replacing late Middle English terrere < Anglo-French (see -er²)

Definition for terrier (2 of 3)

terrier

[ ter-ee-er ]

/ ˈtɛr i ər /

noun Law.

a book or document in which are described the site, boundaries, acreage, tenants, etc., of certain lands.

Origin of terrier

1470–80; < Middle French, short for registre terrier register of land (< Medieval Latin terrārius; see terra, -ier²); replacing earlier terrere < Anglo-French (see -er²

Definition for terrier (3 of 3)

terry

[ ter-ee ]

/ ˈtɛr i /

noun, plural ter·ries.

the loop formed by the pile of a fabric when left uncut.

Also called terry cloth. a pile fabric, usually of cotton, with loops on both sides, as in a Turkish towel.

adjective

made of such a fabric: a terry bathrobe.

having the pile loops uncut: terry velvet.

Origin of terry

First recorded in 1775–85; perhaps variant of terret

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for terrier

The career of a 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Uggie was almost over when he bit a goat.
Hollywood's Top Dog: 'The Artist' Star Uggie|Ramin Setoodeh|December 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Last September I gave my Jack Russell terrier, Daisy, all of my money to invest.
Heinous Investment Advice|Andy Borowitz|March 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The terrier made no objection to being removed, but the puppies cried dismally at the parting.
Full-Back Foster|Ralph Henry Barbour
The man whom he had addressed as "Blake" picked up Nobby and, crossing the room, laid the terrier in Berry's arms.
Berry And Co.|Dornford Yates

I was that eagle for one whole month, and the life of a Scotch terrier is bliss alongside of it.
Andiron Tales|John Kendrick Bangs
There she is,—that wisp of a creature listening so eagerly to that elegant youth of the terrier breed.
Other Things Being Equal|Emma Wolf
The next moment my door opened, and Vixen, Montmorenci's terrier, came bounding towards me.
The Heroine|Eaton Stannard Barrett

British Dictionary definitions for terrier (1 of 5)

terrier

/ (ˈtɛrɪə) /

noun

any of several usually small, active, and short-bodied breeds of dog, originally trained to hunt animals living underground

Word Origin for terrier

C15: from Old French chien terrier earth dog, from Medieval Latin terrārius belonging to the earth, from Latin terra earth

British Dictionary definitions for terrier (2 of 5)

terrier

/ (ˈtɛrɪə) /

noun

English legal history a register or survey of land

Word Origin for terrier

C15: from Old French, from Medieval Latin terrārius of the land, from Latin terra land

British Dictionary definitions for terrier (3 of 5)

Terrier

/ (ˈtɛrɪə) /

noun

informal a member of the British Army's Territorial and Volunteer Reserve

British Dictionary definitions for terrier (4 of 5)

terry

/ (ˈtɛrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

an uncut loop in the pile of towelling or a similar fabric

a fabric with such a pile on both sides
(as modifier)a terry towel

Word Origin for terry

C18: perhaps variant of terret

British Dictionary definitions for terrier (5 of 5)

Terry

/ (ˈtɛrɪ) /

noun

Dame Ellen. 1847–1928, British actress, noted for her Shakespearean roles opposite Sir Henry Irving and for her correspondence with George Bernard Shaw

(John) Quinlan (ˈkwɪnlən). born 1937, British architect, noted for his works in neoclassical style, such as the Richmond riverside project (1984)

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