terrier

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Someone displaying terrier-like qualities such as determined pursuit.

   One of the LNER dispatch staff is a terrier when it comes to masks, challenging anyone without them.

2. 2
   noun

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

3. 3
   noun

   A dog from a group of small, lively breeds, originally bred for the hunting of burrowing prey such as rats, rabbits, foxes, and even otters; this original function is reflected in some of their names (e.g. rat terrier).

4. 4
   noun

   A collection of acknowledgments of the vassals or tenants of a lordship, containing the rents and services they owed to the lord, etc.

Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French chien terrier (“terrier dog”), from chien (“dog”) + Old French terrier (“of earth”, adjective), from Medieval Latin terrarius (“of earth”), from Latin terra (“earth”).

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