Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
tarrier en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /ˈtæɹiɚ/ without the Mary–marry–merry merger
- tărʹē-ər (General-American)
- /ˈtæɹi.ə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈtɛɹiɚ/ Mary–marry–merry merger
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
The Roman Catholic slang variation is possibly derived from Saint Erasmus being labeled as a "tarrier of time" before torture and execution for his beliefs.
Meanings
-
A layabout or loiterer; someone who tarries.
-
(UK, derogatory, slang) A Roman Catholic of Northern Ireland or Scotland.
It was the Irish “tarriers” working on the railroad that provided the context for the folk ballad that began […]
2015, Peter I. Rose, They and We, page 47:Wouldnae even offer Jock Stein – your greatest ever manager – a seat on the board 'cause he wasnae a Tarrier.
2011, Christopher Brookmyre, The Sacred Art of Stealing:
Forms
tarrier en · ADJ · etymology 2
Pronunciation
- tärʹē-ər (General-American)
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈtɑɹiɚ/ (General-American)
- /ˈtɑːɹi.ə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Meanings
-
(comparative, form-of) comparative form of tarry: more tarry
tarrier en · NOUN · etymology 3
Pronunciation
- tăʹrē-ər rhotic, without the Mary–marry–merry merger
- tĕrʹē-ər (General-American)
- /ˈtæɹiɚ/ rhotic, without the Mary–marry–merry merger
- /ˈtæɹi.ə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (Australia) audio
- /ˈtɛɹiɚ/ (General-American)
Meanings
-
(alt-of, obsolete) Obsolete form of terrier (“kind of dog”).
I then had the two best tarriers beneath the canopy; this poor crater is their daughter," and he patted the dog's head affectionately.
1843, William Hamilton Maxwell, Wild Sports of the West: With Legendary Tales, and Local Sketches, R. Bentley, page 77:Booth's and Doran's “tarriers” guarded the entrance to the town and drew first blood from a visiting dog: […]
1914, The Catholic Bulletin and Book Review, volume 4, page 370:Why I recollect, a bit ago, having a tarrier dog what got old and disagreeable, and was turned out on that account from a swell house in Belgravy. Well, he come into my hands, and nat'rally I put him on paunch, like the rest. Would he eat it? Not he. He had been used to his chicken, and his mutton chops, and his 'ashes: and he turned up his nose at anything commoner.
1881, James Greenwood, Low-Life Deeps:
Forms