DCHP-1 Online

Labrador

• 1a n. either of two closely related evergreen shrubs, Ledum groenlandicum and L. decumbens var. palustre.

  See also: Labrador tea (def. 1a)  

  • c1820  (1949)  We greatly missed our tea. Sometimes we used an article called Labrador, and sometimes steeped spruce or hemlock bark for drinking, but I despised it

• 2a n. a breed of dog from which the Labrador retriever was developed.

  See also: Labrador dog (def. 1)  Labrador retriever  

  • a1820  (1838)  The dog was of the Labrador breed, extremely powerful, and of enormous stature.
  • 1907  The pure Newfoundland dogs are curly, and are a little higher on the leg than are the Labradors.

• 2b n. a hunting dog developed from a breed originating in Labrador and Newfoundland, characterized by short, thick, usually black hair, broad head and chest, and outstanding performance as a retriever of game, both in water and on land.

  See also: Labrador retriever  

  • 1957  The ribbons indicate first prize for the best in the Labrador group. . . .
  • 1966  He wants fast, sporty . . . shooting at . . . birds that keep his springer or labrador in top form.

• 3 n. See quote.

  • 1966  . . . the Labrador-born people, or "labradors" as they are often called locally.