lĕpus, ŏris, m. (com., Varr. R. R. 3, 12; Plin. 8, 55, 81, § 217;
I v. infra) [cf. Aeol. and Sicil. λέπορις, collat. form of λαγώς, Varr. L. L. 5, § 101 Müll.; id. R. R. 3, 12; but Curt. compares lepor, lepidus, root in Gr. λάμπω], a hare , Varr. R. R. 3, 12; Plin. 8, 55, 81, § 217: lepus multum somni affert, qui illum edit, Cato ap. Diomed. p. 358 P.; Plaut. Pers. 3, 3, 31: auritosque sequi lepores, Verg. G. 1, 308: pavidus, Hor. Epod. 2, 35; id. C. 1, 37, 18: dare semesum leporem, Juv. 5, 167.—Of the she-hare : lepus cum praegnans sit, Varr. R. R. 3, 12; Plin. 8, 55, 81, § 219; cf.: fecundae leporis, Hor. S. 2, 4, 44 (fecundi, Keller).—Prov.: aliis leporem exagitare, to hunt the hare for others , i. e. to do something of which others reap the advantage , Petr. 131; cf. Ov. A. A. 3, 661: lepus tute es et pulpamentum quaeris? What! you a hare, and hunting for game? —In mal. part., Liv. Andron. ap. Ter. Eun. 426; cf. Don. ad h. l. and Vop. Num. 13. —As a term of endearment: mens pullus passer, mea columba, mi lepus, Plaut. Cas. 1, 50.—
II Transf.
A A poisonous seafish, of the color of a hare , the Aplysia depilans, Linn.; Plin. 9, 48, 72, § 155; 32, 1, 3, § 8.—
B The constellation Lepus, Cic. Arat. 365; id. N. D. 2, 44, 114; Hyg. Astr. 3, 22; Manil. 5, 159.