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tarrier

English

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tarrier¹

  • /ˈtæɹi.ə/ UK
  • /ˈtæɹiɚ/
  • /ˈtɛɹiɚ/

Sounds like terrier (Mary–marry–merry merger) · Rhymes with -æɹiə(ɹ)

Where it comes from

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.

noun tarriers

  1. A layabout or loiterer; someone who tarries.
  2. UK, derogatory, slang A Roman Catholic of Northern Ireland or Scotland. Wouldnae even offer Jock Stein – your greatest ever manager – a seat on the board 'cause he wasnae a Tarrier.

tarrier²

  • /ˈtɑːɹi.ə/ UK
  • /ˈtɑɹiɚ/ US

Rhymes with -ɑːɹiə(ɹ)

Where it comes from

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

adjective

  1. comparative comparative form of tarry: more tarry

tarrier³

  • /ˈtæɹi.ə/ UK
  • /ˈtɛɹiɚ/ US
  • /ˈtæɹiɚ/

Rhymes with -æɹiə(ɹ)

noun tarriers

  1. 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.

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MLA

"tarrier." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/tarrier. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

tarrier. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/tarrier

Chicago

"tarrier." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/tarrier.

BibTeX
@misc{tarrier_2026,
  title = {tarrier},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/tarrier},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}