(French, bigle), a small sort of hound or hunting dog. Beagles are of different kinds; as the southern beagle, something less and shorter but thicker than the deep-mouthed hound; the fleet northern or cat beagle, smaller and of a finer shape than the southern, and a harder runner. From these two, by crossing the strains, is bred a third sort, considered preferable to either. There is also a smaller sort, scarcely bigger than a lap-dog, which affords an agreeable diversion in hunting the rabbit or even the young hare in dry weather.