Past tense of hare; ran very quickly, as fast as a hare or rabbit.
From Old English 'hara' (the animal), used as a verb meaning 'to run like a hare' since Middle English, creating a vivid action verb.
To say someone 'hared off' or 'hared down the street' is to use an animal's speed as your speedometer—it's more evocative than 'ran fast,' suggesting panicked zigzagging motion rather than smooth running.
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