ˈhare-brained, a.
Also hair-.
[parasynth. f. hare brain + -ed2. For the form hair-, see prec.]
Having or showing no more ‘brains’ or sense than a hare; heedless, reckless; rash, wild, mad. Of persons, their actions, etc.
| 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V, 216 b, My desire is that none of you be so unadvised or harebrained as to be the occasion that [etc.]. 1581 G. Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iii. (1586) 148 If his sonne be haughtie, or haire brained, he termeth him courageous. 1615 J. Stephens Satyr. Ess. 100 Whilst they, out of a hare-brained lunacie desire battaile. 1643 Prynne Sov. Power Parl. i. (ed. 2) 42 The hair-brain'd advise of his young Cavalieres. 1738 Swift Polite Convers. 144 Perhaps it will make me hare-brain'd. 1818 Hazlitt Eng. Poets vii. (1870) 172 The excesses of mad, hairbrained, roaring mirth. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. iii. xxii, Keeping hare-brained follies at arm's-length. |
Hence ˈhare-brainedly adv.; ˈhare-brainedness.
| a 1577 Gascoigne Fruite of Fetters (R.), Fansie..farewell, whose badge..in my hat full harebrayndly, thy flowers did I weare. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Cerebrosity, brainsickness, hairbrainedness. 1659 D. Pell Impr. Sea Ep. Ded. C ij, Profane, and giddy hairbrainedness. |