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HIND LEG
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The back limb of a quadruped
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("hind leg" is a kind of...):
hind limb; hindlimb (a posterior appendage such as a leg or the homologous structure in other animals)
Meronyms (parts of "hind leg"):
hock; hock-joint (tarsal joint of the hind leg of hoofed mammals; corresponds to the human ankle)
gaskin (lower part of a horse's thigh between the hock and the stifle)
knee; stifle (joint between the femur and tibia in a quadruped; corresponds to the human knee)
Holonyms ("hind leg" is a part of...):
quadruped (an animal especially a mammal having four limbs specialized for walking)
Context examples:
Once, the cub sprang in and sank his teeth into the hind leg of the lynx.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
I say "hopped" advisedly, for the beast moved like a kangaroo, springing along in an erect position upon its powerful hind legs, while its front ones were held bent in front of it.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Pivoting on his hind legs, and snapping and gashing, he was everywhere at once, presenting a front which was apparently unbroken so swiftly did he whirl and guard from side to side.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
And he shouted harsh words after the bear, and waved his arms about, and made much noise. Then did the bear grow angry, and rise up on his hind legs, and growl. But Keesh walked right up to the bear.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
And she loved me so much, and was so captivating (particularly when she made Jip stand on his hind legs for toast, and when she pretended to hold that nose of his against the hot teapot for punishment because he wouldn't), that I felt like a sort of Monster who had got into a Fairy's bower, when I thought of having frightened her, and made her cry.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
All that they saw of him was his bushy tail and fleeing hind legs—a view far less ferocious and intimidating than his bristling mane and gleaming fangs.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Best of all, perhaps, he loved to lie near the fire, hind legs crouched under him, fore legs stretched out in front, head raised, and eyes blinking dreamily at the flames.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
I dare say he'll last a long time yet, Blossom, said my aunt, patting Dora on the cheek, as she leaned out of her couch to look at Jip, who responded by standing on his hind legs, and baulking himself in various asthmatic attempts to scramble up by the head and shoulders.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Dub was badly injured in a hind leg; Dolly, the last husky added to the team at Dyea, had a badly torn throat; Joe had lost an eye; while Billee, the good-natured, with an ear chewed and rent to ribbons, cried and whimpered throughout the night.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
The wolf whirled about, pivoting on his hind legs after the fashion of Joe and of all cornered husky dogs, snarling and bristling, clipping his teeth together in a continuous and rapid succession of snaps.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
