Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Any of several large, long-eared, long-legged hares of the genus Lepus.
- v. To move or begin to move rapidly or suddenly: "A rear tire blew out and the car jackrabbited out of control” ( Sonny Kleinfield).
- adj. Moving or beginning to move in a sudden, rapid manner: won the race with a jackrabbit start.
Wiktionary
WordNet 3.0
- v. go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement
- n. large hare of western North America
Etymologies
- jack(ass) (from its long ears) + rabbit.
Examples
“The white-sided jackrabbit, which is actually a hare (genus Lepus) is called liebre blanca - white hare - in Mexico, where it is found from the northern border to the state of Jalisco.”
Seasonal Dining: Mexican Wild Game - Part Two: Rabbit and Venison
“The jackrabbit was a pest, but the cottontail was worth getting.”
“The jackalope is an imaginary animal of North American folklore (a so-called "fearsome critter") described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns or deer antlers and sometimes a pheasant's tail (and often hind legs).”
“But who knows, maybe a cantalope is similar to a jackalope, a semi-imaginary animal described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns.”
“He said it was hoppin around their parking lot like a "jackrabbit" !”
“You rent a device that plugs into your car and tracks the length and frequency of your trips and the time of day you hit the road, as well as "jackrabbit" starts and panic braking.”
Progressive Offers Discount To Those Who Let Company Spy On Them - The Consumerist
“I had to move the little speed slider on my sewing machine from "jackrabbit" back down to "turtle.”
“Aggressive driving such as jackrabbit starts followed by screeching stops can cut your highway and city mileage.”
“The word jackalope is a portmanteau of "jackrabbit" and”
“Also, avoid "jackrabbit" starts and go easy on the brake pedal when stopping.”
Lists
‘jackrabbit’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
mollusque Dagnabbit May 23, 2009