What is "lepus cuniculus"

Rabbit \Rab"bit\ (r[a^]b"b[i^]t), n. [OE. rabet, akin to OD. robbe, robbeken.] (Zo["o]l.) 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. 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. Angora rabbit (Zo["o]l.), 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. (Zo["o]l.)

1. The northern chim[ae]ra ( Chim[ae]ra monstrosa).

2. 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.

   1. (Zo["o]l.) See Daman, and Klipdas.

   2. 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.

Cony \Co"ny\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OE. coning, conig, coni, OF. connin, conin, connil, fr. L. cuniculus a rabbit, cony, prob. an Hispanic word.] [Written also coney.]

1. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A rabbit, esp., the European rabbit ( Lepus cuniculus).

   2. The chief hare.

      Note: The cony of Scripture is thought to be Hyrax Syriacus, called also daman, and cherogril. See Daman.

2. A simpleton. [Obs.]

   It is a most simple animal; whence are derived our usual phrases of cony and cony catcher.
   --Diet's Dry Dinner (1599).

3. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. An important edible West Indian fish ( Epinephelus apua); the hind of Bermuda.

   2. A local name of the burbot. [Eng.]