horn

horn

noun \ˈhȯrn\

Definition of HORN

1

a : one of the usually paired bony processes that arise from the head of many ungulates and that are found in some extinct mammals and reptiles: as (1) : one of the permanent paired hollow sheaths of keratin usually present in both sexes of cattle and their relatives that function chiefly for defense and arise from a bony core anchored to the skull — see cow illustration (2) : antler (3) : a permanent solid horn of keratin that is attached to the nasal bone of a rhinoceros (4) : one of a pair of permanent bone protuberances from the skull of a giraffe or okapi that are covered with hairy skin

b : a part like an animal's horn attributed especially to the devil

c : a natural projection or excrescence from an animal resembling or suggestive of a horn

d (1) : the tough fibrous material consisting chiefly of keratin that covers or forms the horns of cattle and related animals, hooves, or other horny parts (as claws or nails) (2) : a manufactured product (as a plastic) resembling horn

e : a hollow horn used to hold something

2

: something resembling or suggestive of a horn: as

a : one of the curved ends of a crescent

b : a sharp mountain peak

c : a body of land or water shaped like a horn

d : a beak-shaped part of an anvil

e : a high pommel of a saddle

f : cornu

3

a : an animal's horn used as a wind instrument

b : a brass wind instrument: as (1) : hunting horn (2) : french horn

c : a wind instrument used in a jazz band; especially : trumpet

d : a usually electrical device that makes a noise like that of a horn

4

: a source of strength

5

: one of the equally disadvantageous alternatives presented by a dilemma

6

slang : telephone

— horn adjective

— horned \ˈhȯrnd also ˈhȯr-nəd\ adjective

— horned·ness \ˈhȯr-nəd-nəs, ˈhȯrn(d)-nəs\ noun

— horn·less \ˈhȯrn-ləs\ adjective

— horn·less·ness noun

— horn·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of HORN

1. <musketeers carrying their gunpowder in powder horns>

Origin of HORN

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German horn, Latin cornu, Greek keras

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HORN

Synonyms

cornucopia, cornet

Related Words

funnel, tube

Rhymes with HORN

born, borne, bourn, corn, lorn, morn, mourn, Norn, Orne, porn, scorn, thorn, warn, Zorn

Horn

geographical name \ˈhȯrn\

Definition of HORN

cape NW Iceland

Variants of HORN

Horn or North Cape

horn

noun \ˈhȯ(ə)rn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HORN

1

a : one of the usually paired bony processes that arise from the head of many ungulates and that are found in some extinct mammals and reptiles; especially : one of the permanent paired hollow sheaths of keratin usually present in both sexes of cattle and their relatives that function chiefly for defense and arise from a bony core anchored to the skull b : the tough fibrous material consisting chiefly of keratin that covers or forms the horns of cattle and related animals, hooves, or other horny parts (as claws or nails)

2

: cornu

—horned \ˈhȯ(ə)rnd\ (audio pronunciation) adjective