Etymology

From Old French (Middle French) chien terrier "terrier dog", or literally "earth dog," from chien 'dog' + terrier (itself ultimately from terra 'earth')

Noun

1. A dog from a group of small, lively breeds, originally bred for the hunting of burrowing prey such as rabbits or foxes.

Related terms

• terra
• terrace
• terracotta
• terrain
• terrene
• territorial
• territory
• terrestrial

Etymology

From M.L. terrarius "of earth," from terra "earth"
Most terrier breeds were developed to hunt vermin both over and under the ground.

Adjective

(female: terrière)

1. (archaic) relating to the ground, earth -, land -
2. enumerating seignorial rights, notably in livre terrier (a register of land)

Noun

(plural terriers)

1. the layer or burrow which certain prey species, such as rabbits, dig in the ground
2. terrier, a breed of hunting dog fit to catch such prey even there
3. short for livre terrier (cfr. supra)