harelip

[ hair-lip ]

noun

1. Usually Offensive. cleft lip.

harelip

/ ˈhɛəˌlɪp /

noun

1. a congenital cleft or fissure in the midline of the upper lip, resembling the cleft upper lip of a hare, often occurring with cleft palate Preferred form cleft lip

Sensitive Note

The term harelip is usually perceived as insulting because it compares the deformity in humans to the normal cleft lip of a hare. The accepted term for this medical condition is cleft lip.

Derived Forms

• ˈhareˌlipped, adjective

Other Words From

• harelipped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of harelip¹

First recorded in 1560–70; hare + lip

Example Sentences

Harwood might treat her, as she said, like a step-child with a harelip, but occasionally she made him sit up.

From Project Gutenberg

Common illustrations of such deforming developmental accidents are harelip, cleft palate, and club foot.

From Project Gutenberg

Jean was even more illfavored, having a scar across his mouth which gave him an artificial harelip.

From Project Gutenberg

There is just the possibility that a contrivance like our harelip pin with a figure of eight thread may be indicated.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a man with a harelip and a pure heart, and everybody said he was as true as steel.

From Project Gutenberg