Definition

Noun 1. The rear part of a quadruped animal, especially the area around the pelvis and upper thighs: This refers specifically to the back portion of a four-legged animal's body. 2. The buttocks or rump of a human or animal: This is a more general term for the posterior or backside.

Usage

• The term is most commonly used in formal, zoological, or equestrian contexts when referring to animals.
• When applied to humans, it is often used humorously or euphemistically.

Examples

• The veterinarian examined the horse's hindquarters for any signs of injury.
• After the long ride, the dog sat down carefully on its sore hindquarters.
• He slipped on the ice and landed squarely on his hindquarters.

Advanced Usage

• "To rise on its hindquarters": Describes when an animal, like a horse or bear, stands up on its back legs.
  • The frightened horse rose on its hindquarters.

Variants and Related Words

• Hind (adj): Located at or forming the back part of something.
  • The hind legs of a rabbit are very powerful.
• Quarter (n): In this compound, it refers to a part or region of an animal's body, especially as used in butchery ("hindquarter" for the rear leg and adjoining section).

Synonyms

• Haunches: The hips, buttocks, and upper thighs of a human or animal.
• Rump: The hind part of the body of an animal, or the buttocks.
• Posterior: A formal term for the buttocks.
• Rear: The back part of something; used informally for buttocks.

Antonyms

• Forequarters: The front part of a quadruped, including the shoulders and forelegs.

Noun

1. the part of an animal that corresponds to the human buttocks
2. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
   • he deserves a good kick in the butt
   • are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?