Words of the Day: Hare and Hair

hare hare / hâr noun an animal, of the genus Lepus, similar to a rabbit, that is larger; unlike a rabbit, it does not burrow and its young are born covered with fur If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. Japanese Proverb Etymology hare, from the Anglo-Saxon hara _________________________________________________________________________________ hair hair / hâr noun a threadlike strand that grows out of the skin of animals A gentle hand may lead even an elephant by a single hair. Iranian Proverb a growth of such strands that covers the scalp of a human or makes the coat of an animal Gray hair is a sign of age, not of wisdom. Greek Proverb filaments or other threadlike strands similar to hair growing from the outer layer of a plant or arthropod Some plants defend themselves against bugs which can eat them; hairs trouble their advance, like obstacles on a cross-country race. “Plant Hairs”, Jean-Marie Cavanihac, http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmar00/hairs.html fabric made from the fur of particular animals, such as horses, camels or alpacas Sugar should be rubbed to a powder on a clean board, and sifted through a fine hair or lawn sieve. From “The Cook and Housekeeper’s Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,” by Mary Eaton, active 1823-49 an extremely small distance, space or degree A hair divides what is false and true. Omar Khayyam, 1048 – 1131 Etymology hair, from the Anglo-Saxon haer