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

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# terrier

noun (a terrier, terriers)

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

## Everyday

1. A small or medium-sized, lively dog first bred to hunt and dig out small animals such as rats, rabbits and foxes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#m1)
2. (figurative) A person who is very determined and does not give up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#m2)

### In the lessons

In pet and science lessons, terriers are a group of dog breeds: Jack Russell, Scottie (Scottish terrier), Westie, Yorkshire terrier, Irish terrier, Australian terrier. They are energetic, brave and love to dig. In sport talk, a player who chases every ball is «a real terrier». Phrases: «Jack Russell terrier», «Yorkshire terrier», «like a terrier».

### Examples

- Our terrier loves digging holes in the garden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x1)
- A Jack Russell is a small terrier. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x2)
- Terriers were bred to catch rats. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x3)
- The terrier barked at the postman. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x4)
- She chased the story like a terrier. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x5)
- Yorkshire terriers are tiny dogs with long silky hair. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x6)
- The little terrier was brave and full of energy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/terrier/#x7)

### Note

Spelling: double «r»: terrier. Not «terror» (great fear) and not «territory», though the word comes from the Latin for «earth», because terriers dig in the ground.

## On Mova

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