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jackrabbiting

 - 3 dictionary results

jack⋅rab⋅bit

[jak-rab-it]
–adjective
1. resembling a jack rabbit, as in suddenness or rapidity of movement: The car made a jackrabbit start when the traffic light turned green.
–verb (used without object)
2. to go or start forward with a rapid, sudden movement.

Origin:
1925–30; see jack rabbit
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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jack·rab·bit   (jāk'rāb'ĭt)   
n.   or jack rabbit
Any of several large, long-eared, long-legged hares of the genus Lepus.
intr.v.   jack·rab·bit·ed, jack·rab·bit·ing, jack·rab·bits
To move or begin to move rapidly or suddenly: "A rear tire blew out and the car jackrabbited out of control" (Sonny Kleinfield).
adj.  Moving or beginning to move in a sudden, rapid manner: won the race with a jackrabbit start.

[jack(ass) (from its long ears) + rabbit.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

jackrabbit 
1863, Amer.Eng., shortening of jackass-rabbit, so called for its long ears.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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