▪ I. cuˈnicular, a.1
[ad. L. cunīculār-is, f. cunīculus: see prec.]
† 1. Rabbit-like, living in burrows under ground.
| 1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. II. 235 The Troglydites, or cunicular Men described by Dr. Brown, that lived not like Men but Rabbits. |
2. Of or pertaining to underground passages: see cuniculus.
| 1890 Smith, etc. Dict. Gr. & Rom. Antiq. I. 573 The ‘cunicular’ drainage of Latium and Southern Etruria belongs rather to the pre-historic antiquities of Italy than to classical times. The subject..has recently been investigated by Italians desirous of restoring to the Campagna its ancient fertility. |
▪ II. † cuˈnicular, a.2 Obs.
[f. L. cūnæ cradle: as if through a dim. cuniculæ.]
Of or pertaining to the cradle or to infancy.
| 1676 Acc. Lodowick Muggleton in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 610 (D.) They might have observed, even in his cunicular days..an obstinate, dissentious, and opposive spirit. |