lurcher

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n lurcher someone waiting in concealment
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Lurcher A glutton; a gormandizer.
    • Lurcher (Zoöl) One of a mongrel breed of dogs said to have been a cross between the sheep dog, greyhound, and spaniel. It hunts game silently, by scent, and is often used by poachers.
    • Lurcher One that lurches or lies in wait; one who watches to pilfer, or to betray or entrap; one who lurks; a lurker; a poacher.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n lurcher One who lies in wait or lurks; one who watches, as to entrap or steal; a poacher.
    • n lurcher A sort of hunting-dog, said to be a cross between the shepherd's dog and the greyhound, much used by poachers, because it hunts both by sight and by scent.
    • n lurcher A glutton; a gormandizer.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Lurcher a name applied to any dog with a distinct cross of greyhound: one who lies in wait: a glutton
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
L. lurco, lurcho, a glutton. See 1st Lurch
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Lurk.

Usage

In literature:

The old-time poachers in England used to do it with their lurcher dogs.
"Michael, Brother of Jerry" by Jack London
Finally, Benjie stood accused of having stolen a duck, to hunt it with the said lurcher, which was as dexterous on water as on land.
"Red Gauntlet" by Sir Walter Scott
To help him Jem Burton had lent the services of his herring-gutted, herring-hearted, greyhound lurcher, Monkey.
"Bob, Son of Battle" by Alfred Ollivant
He sneaked it between his legs like a lurcher!
"The Short Works of George Meredith" by George Meredith
John Fullarton, over the hill, has a lurcher dog which is as good as a bloodhound.
"The Mystery of Cloomber" by Arthur Conan Doyle
He gripped his lurcher's collar and stood still for nearly ten minutes.
"The Stowmarket Mystery" by Louis Tracy
The rough, large-boned, ill-looking Lurcher, is said to have descended from the rough greyhound and the shepherd's dog.
"Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals" by R. Lee
Now, Lurcher was a very discerning person.
"Girls of the Forest" by L. T. Meade
Here comes de Lurcher!
"The Girl from Sunset Ranch" by Amy Bell Marlowe
I have taken up your note to Col. Piquet, and discharged your debts to my Lord Lurcher and Sir Harry Rook.
"The Contrast" by Royall Tyler
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In news:

Lurchers originated in Ireland and parts of Great Britain because during the Middle Ages, only the nobility were legally allowed to own purebred dogs.
oxfordleader.com
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Related words