The DICT Development Group

  Cony \Co"ny\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OE. coning, conig, coni, OF.
     connin, conin, connil, fr. L. cuniculus a rabbit, cony, prob.
     an Hispanic word.] [Written also coney.]
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) A rabbit, esp., the European rabbit ({Lepus
            cuniculus).
        (b) The chief hare.
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     Note: The cony of Scripture is thought to be Hyrax
           Syriacus, called also daman, and cherogril. See
           Daman.
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     2. A simpleton. [Obs.]
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              It is a most simple animal; whence are derived our
              usual phrases of cony and cony catcher. --Diet's Dry
                                                    Dinner (1599).
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     3. (Zool.)
        (a) An important edible West Indian fish ({Epinephelus
            apua); the hind of Bermuda.
        (b) A local name of the burbot. [Eng.]
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  Chief hare \Chief" hare`\ (Zool.)
     A small rodent ({Lagamys princeps) inhabiting the summits of
     the Rocky Mountains; -- also called crying hare, calling
     hare, cony, American pika, and little chief hare.
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     Note: It is not a true hare or rabbit, but belongs to the
           curious family Lagomyid[ae].
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