English

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Etymology

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From heath +‎ cropper.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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heathcropper (plural heathcroppers)

  1. (slang, archaic) A farm animal, particularly a wild pony, kept to graze on the heath, particularly associated with Wessex.
    • 1916, Thomas Hardy, Domicilium:
      Would fly about our bedrooms. Heathcroppers / Lived on the hills, and were our only friends: /