welsh rare bit

1 definition found

welsh rare bit - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rabbit \Rab"bit\ (r[a^]b"b[i^]t), n. [OE. rabet, akin to OD.
     robbe, robbeken.] (Zool.)
     Any of the smaller species of the genus Lepus, especially the
     common European species (Lepus cuniculus), which is often
     kept as a pet, and has been introduced into many countries.
     It is remarkably prolific, and has become a pest in some
     parts of Australia and New Zealand.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The common American rabbit (Lepus sylvatica) is
           similar but smaller. See Cottontail, and Jack rabbit
           , under 2d Jack. The larger species of Lepus
           are commonly called hares. See Hare.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Angora rabbit (Zool.), a variety of the domestic rabbit
        having long, soft fur.
  
     Rabbit burrow, a hole in the earth made by rabbits for
        shelter and habitation.
  
     Rabbit fish. (Zool.)
     (a) The northern chimaera (Chimaera monstrosa).
     (b) Any one of several species of plectognath fishes, as the
         bur fish, and puffer. The term is also locally applied to
         other fishes.
  
     Rabbits' ears. (Bot.) See Cyclamen.
  
     Rabbit warren, a piece of ground appropriated to the
        breeding and preservation of rabbits. --Wright.
  
     Rock rabbit.
     (a) (Zool.) See Daman, and Klipdas.
     (b) the pika.
  
     Welsh rabbit, a dish of which the chief constituents are
        melted cheese over toasted bread, flavored in various
        ways, as with ale, beer, milk, or spices. The name is
        popularly said to be a corruption of Welsh rare bit, but
        it is probably merely a humorous designation; -- also
        called Welsh rarebit.
        [1913 Webster]