belgian hare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist/Technical
Quick answer
What does “belgian hare” mean?
A breed of domestic rabbit, selectively bred to resemble a wild hare in appearance, with a long, slender body and powerful hind legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A breed of domestic rabbit, selectively bred to resemble a wild hare in appearance, with a long, slender body and powerful hind legs.
The term can be used metonymically to refer to the meat from this breed, though it is primarily a show and pet animal. In historical contexts, it references a specific breeding craze in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The breed standard and name are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
In both regions, it connotes historical animal fancy, specific breeding knowledge, and a distinct physical type of rabbit.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to rabbit breeding, historical texts, and specific animal husbandry contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “belgian hare” in a Sentence
The [adj] Belgian hareA Belgian hare of [quality]To breed/raise/show a Belgian hareVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “belgian hare” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Belgian-hare characteristics include a deep chest and long limbs.
American English
- She admired the Belgian-Hare build of the champion rabbit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in niche pet trade or historical agricultural commerce.
Academic
Used in historical studies of animal breeding, genetics, or 19th-century popular culture.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general conversation.
Technical
Standard term in rabbit fancy, breed standards, and veterinary contexts specific to rabbits.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “belgian hare”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “belgian hare”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “belgian hare”
- Using 'Belgian hare' to refer to an actual wild hare from Belgium.
- Treating 'hare' as the head noun and making it plural as 'Belgian hares' (correct) but then thinking they are hares biologically.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a breed of domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) that has been selectively bred to physically resemble a wild hare.
It was developed in Belgium in the early 19th century through selective breeding of domestic rabbits, possibly with some wild rabbit stock, to achieve its distinctive 'hare-like' appearance.
They are less common than other rabbit breeds due to their specific care needs, larger size, and energetic nature. They are more often seen in rabbit shows or kept by experienced breeders.
Historically and primarily for exhibition (rabbit shows) based on a strict breed standard that emphasizes a specific, hare-like conformation. They are also kept by enthusiasts for their unique appearance and history.
A breed of domestic rabbit, selectively bred to resemble a wild hare in appearance, with a long, slender body and powerful hind legs.
Belgian hare is usually specialist/technical in register.
Belgian hare: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɛldʒən ˈheə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɛldʒən ˈhɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Belgian' (from Belgium) + 'hare' (looks like one). It's a Belgian rabbit dressed up as a hare.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELECTIVE BREEDING IS SCULPTING (creating a specific form from raw material).
Practice
Quiz
In what primary context is the term 'Belgian hare' used today?