hunt

¹hunt

verb \ˈhənt\

Definition of HUNT

transitive verb

1

a : to pursue for food or in sport <hunt buffalo> b : to manage in the search for game <hunts a pack of dogs>

2

a : to pursue with intent to capture <hunted the escapees> b : to search out : seek

3

: to drive or chase especially by harrying <members … were hunted from their homes — J. T. Adams>

4

: to traverse in search of prey <hunts the woods>

intransitive verb

1

: to take part in a hunt

2

: to attempt to find something

3

: to oscillate alternately to each side (as of a neutral point) or to run alternately faster and slower —used especially of a device or machine

Examples of HUNT

1. The wolf was hunting its prey.
2. These birds have been hunted almost to extinction.
3. a gun used for hunting squirrels
4. He likes to hunt and fish.
5. She hunted around in the closet for a pair of shoes.
6. Police hunted the escaped prisoners through several states.

Origin of HUNT

Middle English, from Old English huntian; akin to Old English hentan to seize

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HUNT

Synonyms: chase, stalk

Related Words: capture, drag, net, snare, trap; dog, ferret, hawk, hound; course, pursue, run, run down, spoor, track, trail; gun (for), harpoon, kill, shoot; poach; cull

Near Antonyms: hide, lose; ignore, neglect

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with HUNT

blunt, brunt, bunt, front, grunt, Lunt, punt, runt, shunt, strunt, stunt, want, wont