jackrabbit

[ jak-rab-it ]

adjective

1. resembling a jack rabbit, as in suddenness or rapidity of movement:

   The car made a jackrabbit start when the traffic light turned green.

verb (used without object)

1. to go or start forward with a rapid, sudden movement.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jackrabbit¹

First recorded in 1925–30; jack rabbit

Example Sentences

“But every exploding colorful sunset, every jackrabbit, every coyote sighting changed my brain chemistry,” said Shah.

From Los Angeles Times

For the second year in a row, Long Beach Poly pulled a jackrabbit out of a hat to stun Mission Viejo.

From Los Angeles Times

The 10th model, prompted to write about historical English architecture, spews out gibberish about jackrabbits.

From Scientific American

While prairie jackrabbits are capable of amazing bursts of speed—up to and over fifty miles an hour—they are relatively short-winded.

From Literature

Coupling that with better in-town driving practices, such as slowing down ahead of the upcoming red light rather than racing to it, and avoiding jackrabbit starts results in more savings.

From Washington Post