terrier

¹

[ter-ee-er]

noun

1. any of several breeds of usually small dogs, used originally to pursue game and drive it out of its hole or burrow.

2. (initial capital letter),  a surface-to-air, two-stage antiaircraft missile.

terrier

²

[ter-ee-er]

noun

Law.

1. a book or document in which are described the site, boundaries, acreage, tenants, etc., of certain lands.

Terrier

¹

/ ˈtɛrɪə /

noun

1. informal,  a member of the British Army's Territorial and Volunteer Reserve

terrier

²

/ ˈtɛrɪə /

noun

1. any of several usually small, active, and short-bodied breeds of dog, originally trained to hunt animals living underground

terrier

³

/ ˈtɛrɪə /

noun

1. English legal history a register or survey of land

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrier¹

1400–50; < Middle French, short for chien terrier literally, dog of the earth (< Medieval Latin terrārius; terra, -ier ² ); so called because used to start badgers from their burrows; replacing late Middle English terrere < Anglo-French ( -er ² )

Origin of terrier²

1470–80; < Middle French, short for registre terrier register of land (< Medieval Latin terrārius; terra, -ier ² ); replacing earlier terrere < Anglo-French ( -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrier¹

C15: from Old French chien terrier earth dog, from Medieval Latin terrārius belonging to the earth, from Latin terra earth

Origin of terrier²

C15: from Old French, from Medieval Latin terrārius of the land, from Latin terra land

Example Sentences

Raisin, a terrier mix, is 15 and a half.

From Los Angeles Times

The American pit bull terriers are strong, faithful companions who’ve gotten a bad wrap.

From Los Angeles Times

They will be staying in a home with a sauna, swimming pool and a private woodland, to look after two Yorkshire terriers, booked through the website HouseSit Match.

From BBC

On a shelf, a customized dog figurine — a client’s beloved terrier — lies on its stomach atop a lilac-colored butter dish.

From Los Angeles Times

And with that, the pair take me up to the second level of their shop, followed by their border terrier, Jasper, and there she is, the girl of the hour.

From Los Angeles Times