What is "hare and hounds"

Hare \Hare\, n. [AS. hara; akin to D. haas, G. hase, OHG. haso, Dan. & Sw. hare, Icel. h[=e]ri, Skr. [,c]a[,c]a. [root]226.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A rodent of the genus Lepus, having long hind legs, a short tail, and a divided upper lip. It is a timid animal, moves swiftly by leaps, and is remarkable for its fecundity.

   Note: The species of hares are numerous. The common European hare is Lepus timidus. The northern or varying hare of America ( Lepus Americanus), and the prairie hare ( Lepus campestris), turn white in winter. In America, the various species of hares are commonly called rabbits.

2. (Astron.) A small constellation situated south of and under the foot of Orion; Lepus.

   Hare and hounds, a game played by men and boys, two, called hares, having a few minutes' start, and scattering bits of paper to indicate their course, being chased by the others, called the hounds, through a wide circuit.

   Hare kangaroo (Zo["o]l.), a small Australian kangaroo ( Lagorchestes Leporoides), resembling the hare in size and color,

   Hare's lettuce (Bot.), a plant of the genus Sonchus, or sow thistle; -- so called because hares are said to eat it when fainting with heat.
   --Dr. Prior.

   Jumping hare. (Zo["o]l.) See under Jumping.

   Little chief hare, or Crying hare. (Zo["o]l.) See Chief hare.

   Sea hare. (Zo["o]l.) See Aplysia.

n. A paperchase game.

n. an outdoor game; the hares start off on a long run scattering bits of paper (the scent) and the hounds try to catch them before they reach a designated spot [syn: paper chase]

Hare and Hounds may refer to:

• Paper Chase (aka: Hare & Hounds), a running race game where a hare leaves a trail of paper to follow
• Hare and Hound (motorcycle race), an off-road motorcycle race
• Hare and Hounds (board game) (also known as the French Military Game), a simple deterministic strategy board game where three hounds attempt to trap a hare
• Cambridge University Hare and Hounds, the cross-country running club of the University of Cambridge
• Hare and Hounds (Sheen), pub in Sheen, London