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terrier

1
[ter-ee-er]
|

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.

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Why are they called “Terriers,” “Pekingese,” and “Bluetick Coonhounds?”Many people approach the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with a combination of fascination and trepidation. Awfully cute canines appear in some odd situations. Here’s some information about the fascinating names of the breeds considered the top contenders for Best in Show this year, as well as the poetic and eccentric name of one of the dog breeds making their official debut, the Bluetick Coonhound. …
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Nearby words

  1. terret,
  2. terri,
  3. terrible,
  4. terribly,
  5. terricolous,
  6. terrific,
  7. terrify,
  8. terrifying,
  9. terrigenous,
  10. terrine

Origin of terrier

1
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)

terrier

2
[ter-ee-er]

noun Law.

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

Origin of terrier

2
1470–80; < Middle French, short for registre terrier register of land (< Medieval Latin terrārius; see terra, -ier2); replacing earlier terrere < Anglo-French (see -er2

terry

[ter-ee]

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

British Dictionary definitions for terrier

terrier

1

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

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

Terrier

noun

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

terry

noun plural -ries

an uncut loop in the pile of towelling or a similar fabric
  1. a fabric with such a pile on both sides
  2. (as modifier)a terry towel

Word Origin for terry

C18: perhaps variant of terret

Terry

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
Word Origin and History for terrier
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper