terrier
1- 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
1terrier
2- a book or document in which are described the site, boundaries, acreage, tenants, etc., of certain lands.
Origin of terrier
2terry
- 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.
- made of such a fabric: a terry bathrobe.
- having the pile loops uncut: terry velvet.
Origin of terry
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.
Last September I gave my Jack Russell terrier, Daisy, all of my money to invest.
Historical Examples of terrier
Dogs are capering about, a collie, a setter, a Boston terrier.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
I'll pay that up as soon as I'm able—and I'll work like a terrier until I do.
The Fortune HunterLouis Joseph Vance
It was a terrier, and one of those heavy, slow British bulldogs.
The Law-BreakersRidgwell Cullum
She thought to avoid him, but he was as quick as a cat and as wiry and strong as a terrier.
Louisiana LouWilliam West Winter
I'll shake the life out of him yet as a terrier would a rat.
The ManxmanHall Caine
terrier
1- any of several usually small, active, and short-bodied breeds of dog, originally trained to hunt animals living underground
Word Origin for terrier
terrier
2- English legal history a register or survey of land
Word Origin for terrier
Terrier
- informal a member of the British Army's Territorial and Volunteer Reserve
terry
- 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
Terry
- 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)
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").