jackrabbit

jack·rab·bit  (jkrbt)

n. or jack rabbit

Any of several large, long-eared, long-legged hares of the genus Lepus.

intr.v. jack·rab·bit·ed, jack·rab·bit·ing, jack·rab·bits

To move or begin to move rapidly or suddenly: "A rear tire blew out and the car jackrabbited out of control" (Sonny Kleinfield).

adj.

Moving or beginning to move in a sudden, rapid manner: won the race with a jackrabbit start.

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[jack(ass) (from its long ears) + rabbit.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	jackrabbit - large hare of western North America genus Lepus, Lepus - type genus of the Leporidae: hares hare - swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes Lepus townsendi, white-tailed jackrabbit, whitetail jackrabbit - largest hare of northern plains and western mountains of United States; brownish-grey in summer and pale grey in winter; tail nearly always all white blacktail jackrabbit, Lepus californicus - the common jackrabbit of grasslands and open areas of western United States; has large black-tipped ears and black streak on the tail
Verb	1.	jackrabbit - go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement jump, startle, start - move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm; "She startled when I walked into the room"