hunt

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English huntian; akin to Old English hentan to seize Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to pursue for food or in sport <

hunt buffalo

> b. to manage in the search for game <

hunts a pack of dogs

> 2. a. to pursue with intent to capture <

hunted the escapees

> b. to search out ; seek 3. to drive or chase especially by harrying <

members…were hunted from their homes — J. T. Adams

> 4. to traverse in search of prey <

hunts the woods

> intransitive verb 1. to take part in a hunt 2. to attempt to find something 3. to oscillate alternately to each side (as of a neutral point) or to run alternately faster and slower — used especially of a device or machine II. noun Date: 14th century 1. the act, the practice, or an instance of hunting 2. a group of mounted hunters and their hunting dogs