harrier

/'hæriə/

Thân thiện

A harrier glides low over a marsh, searching for small prey.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of hawk: A bird of prey that hunts over open ground like meadows and marshes, feeding on small land animals.
   • A breed of hound: A dog similar to a foxhound but smaller, historically used for hunting hares or rabbits.
   • A persistent attacker or harasser: A person who persistently attacks, annoys, or torments others.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Bird):
  • The northern harrier glided low over the marsh, searching for voles.
  • We spotted a harrier circling above the meadow.
• Noun (Dog):
  • The hunter used a pair of harriers to flush out the rabbits.
  • Harriers are known for their endurance and keen sense of smell.
• Noun (Person):
  • In the article, the politician was portrayed as a harrier of the press, constantly criticizing journalists.
  • He gained a reputation as a legal harrier, filing frivolous lawsuits to intimidate small businesses.

Advanced Usage

• "To run with the harriers": This idiom can imply participating in a hunt or, figuratively, engaging in a persistent pursuit or criticism.
  • As a journalist, she often ran with the harriers, doggedly pursuing corruption stories.

Variants and Related Words

• Harass (verb): To subject to aggressive pressure or intimidation.
  • The manager was accused of trying to harass his employees into resigning.
• Harassment (noun): Aggressive pressure or intimidation.
  • The company has a strict policy against workplace harassment.

Synonyms

• For the bird: Hawk, bird of prey.
• For the dog: Hound, hunting dog.
• For the person: Persecutor, tormentor, bully, baiter.

Related Phrases

• "Harrier of the weak": A phrase describing someone who preys on or bullies those who are vulnerable.
  • The documentary exposed him as a harrier of the weak, exploiting his tenants' financial struggles.

Related Idioms

• "To be harried": To be harassed, pestered, or troubled persistently. (Note: This uses the related verb "harry," from which "harrier" is derived).
  • The CEO was harried by questions from reporters about the company's finances.

Học thuật

Noun

1. hawks that hunt over meadows and marshes and prey on small terrestrial animals
2. a hound that resembles a foxhound but is smaller; used to hunt rabbits
3. a persistent attacker
   • the harassers were not members of the regular army

Từ đồng nghĩa

• harasser