Definition

1. Noun:
   • A traditional outdoor sport: "fox hunting" refers to the activity in which participants, typically on horseback, use a pack of trained hounds to track, chase, and often kill a fox.
   • The practice or institution: It can also denote the social and cultural tradition associated with this activity.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Fox hunting has been a controversial topic in British society for decades.
  • The estate is used for fox hunting during the winter season.
  • He wrote a book on the history of fox hunting.

Advanced Usage

• "to go fox hunting": to participate in the activity.
  • They go fox hunting every Saturday in the autumn.
• "a fox hunting ban": legislation prohibiting the activity.
  • The fox hunting ban was introduced in 2004.

Variants and Related Words

• Fox-hunt (verb, less common): to engage in the activity of fox hunting.
  • They used to fox-hunt in these woods.
• Fox hunter (noun): a person who participates in fox hunting.
  • The fox hunter raised his horn to call the hounds.

Synonyms

• The hunt: a general term for the activity.
• The chase: emphasizes the pursuit aspect.

Related Phrases

• "to follow the hounds": a phrase describing participation in the hunt.
  • He loved to follow the hounds across the countryside.

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The core definition involves the pursuit of a fox with hounds and hunters, historically as a means of pest control and as a social sport.
• Modern Context: In many regions, particularly the UK, the activity is heavily regulated or banned, and modern "hunts" may follow an artificial scent trail rather than a live fox. The term "fox hunting" still primarily evokes the traditional practice.

Noun

1. mounted hunters follow hounds in pursuit of a fox