[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/haunch/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / haunch

# haunch

noun (a haunch, haunches)

«haunch» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The hip, bottom and top of the leg of a person or animal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#m1)
2. A back leg and hip of an animal as meat, as in «a haunch of venison». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used when animals or people sit back on their legs: «sat back on its haunches», «squatted on his haunches». In stories a dog, rabbit or hare sits on its haunches to look around; Kipling's animals often do. In old feasts, a haunch of venison (deer meat) was roasted.

### Examples

- The dog sat back on its haunches and begged. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x1)
- The hare sat up on its haunches and listened. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x2)
- He squatted on his haunches to look at the beetle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x3)
- The cook roasted a haunch of venison for the feast. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x4)
- Badger sat on his haunches by the fire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x5)
- The lion crouched on its haunches, ready to spring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x6)
- A WOLF, passing by, saw some Shepherds in a hut eating a haunch of mutton for their dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/#x7)

### Note

Countable; usually in the plural «haunches». Pronounced HAWNCH. Common phrase: «sit (back) on your haunches» = squat with your bottom near your heels.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «haunch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/haunch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«haunch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/haunch.html) on Mova free.