What does lapin mean?
Lapin is an uncommon noun meaning a rabbit or hare, especially an animal hunted for game. Its main modern association is with Canadian English, where it may appear in regional speech, stories, and accounts of hunting; outside Canada, the word is generally archaic or literary. The term is broad rather than scientifically precise, so it can refer to animals that a more technical discussion would distinguish as rabbits and hares. For example, a hunter might describe the animal carried home as a lapin, while an ecological survey would ordinarily identify its species more exactly. Although lapin looks unusual to many English speakers, it comes from French and reflects the longstanding influence of French-speaking communities and traditions in Canada. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, traditional flavour, but it should be chosen deliberately rather than used as a common substitute for rabbit.
nounA rabbit or hare, especially as hunted game. The word is chiefly used in Canadian English and is uncommon in other modern varieties.
- A rabbit or hare, especially as hunted game.
"The hunter returned before dawn with a lapin hanging from his pack."
"We saw a lapin dart into the brush beside the trail."
"In older Canadian hunting accounts, a lapin is often described as a hare."
The regular plural is rare because the word itself is chiefly regional or archaic in modern English.
"Several lapins were seen near the edge of the forest."
A distinctly Canadian word for a rabbit or hare, the lapin survives in modern English largely through regional speech and hunting traditions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lapin
The English word lapin was borrowed from French lapin, meaning a rabbit or hare. It belongs to the vocabulary of Canadian English and reflects the historical influence of French in the country. The ultimate origin of the French word is uncertain, and proposed connections with Germanic words for hare or rabbit remain disputed.
How lapin is actually used
In contemporary English, lapin is chiefly associated with Canadian usage, particularly rural, regional, or hunting vocabulary. It sounds old-fashioned to many speakers and is rarely used in formal modern prose. It can refer broadly to a rabbit or hare without always preserving the zoological distinction between them.