terrier

[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.

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)

terrier

[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

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

Contemporary Examples of 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
Last September I gave my Jack Russell terrier, Daisy, all of my money to invest.
Heinous Investment Advice
Andy Borowitz
March 23, 2009

Historical Examples of terrier

Dogs are capering about, a collie, a setter, a Boston terrier.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
I'll pay that up as soon as I'm able—and I'll work like a terrier until I do.
The Fortune Hunter
Louis Joseph Vance
It was a terrier, and one of those heavy, slow British bulldogs.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum
She thought to avoid him, but he was as quick as a cat and as wiry and strong as a terrier.
Louisiana Lou
William West Winter
I'll shake the life out of him yet as a terrier would a rat.
The Manxman
Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for terrier

terrier

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

terrier

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

mid-15c., from Old French chien terrier "terrier dog," literally "earth dog," from Medieval Latin terrarius "of earth," from Latin terra "earth" (see terrain). So called because the dogs pursue their quarry (foxes, badgers, etc.) into their burrows.

terry

"loop raised in pile-weaving, left uncut," 1784, possibly an alteration of French tiré "drawn," from past participle of tirer "draw out" (cf. German gezogener Sammet "drawn velvet").