harrier

views updated May 18 2018

har·ri·er1 / ˈharēər/ • n. a person who engages in persistent attacks on others or incursions into their land.har·ri·er2 • n. a hound of a breed used for hunting hares. ∎  a cross-country runner.har·ri·er3 • n. a long-winged, slender-bodied bird of prey (genus Circus, family Accipitridae) with low quartering flight.

harrier

views updated May 23 2018

harrier2 one who harries; falcon of the genus Circus. XVI. (In the second sense, early forms har(r)oer, harrower.) f. HARROW1, HARRY + -ER1.

harrier

views updated Jun 11 2018

harrier1 hound for hunting the hare XVI; member of a hare-and-hounds team XIX. Early forms hayrere, heirere, f. hayre HARE + -ER1; assim. to next.

harrier

views updated May 21 2018

harrier Bird of prey. Active by day, it frequents grasslands where it swoops on small animals. It has a small bill and long wings, legs and tail. Length: 38–50cm (15–20in). Family Accipitridae; genus Circus.