Etymology Dictionary

HARE,  the name of an animal.  (E.)   M.E. hare, Chaucer, C.T. 13626.—A.S. hara, as a gloss to Lat. lepus, Ælfric's Gloss, in Wright's Vocab. i. 22, 78. + Du. haas. + Dan. and Swed. hare. + Icel. héri. + G. hase; O.H.G. haso. + W. ceinach (Rhys). + Skt. çaça, orig. çasa, a hare, lit. a jumper.   β. The A.S. form stands for an older hasa, as shewn by the Du., G., and Skt. forms.   The Skt. gives the etymology; çaça being from the verb çaç, orig. ças, to jump, move along by leaping.   Hence all the forms are from a root KAS, to jump, prob. connected with E. haste.   See Haste.   Der. hare-brained, 1 Hen. IV, v. 2. 19; hare-lip, K. Lear, iii. 4. 123; hare-lipped; harr-i-er, q.v.; hare-bell, q.v.