unicorn

uni·corn

noun \ˈyü-nə-ˌkȯrn\

: an imaginary animal that looks like a horse and has a straight horn growing from the middle of its forehead

Full Definition of UNICORN

:  a mythical animal generally depicted with the body and head of a horse, the hind legs of a stag, the tail of a lion, and a single horn in the middle of the forehead

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Illustration of UNICORN

Origin of UNICORN

Middle English unicorne, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin unicornis, from Latin, having one horn, from uni- + cornu horn — more at horn

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with UNICORN

alpenhorn, barleycorn, Capricorn, cyberporn, English horn, flügelhorn, foreign-born, Golden Horn, hunting horn, longicorn, Matterhorn, peppercorn, powder horn, saddle horn, waterborne, waterworn, weatherworn

uni·corn

adjective \ˈyü-nÉ™-ËŒkȯ(É™)rn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of UNICORN

: having a single horn or hornlike process <a unicorn uterus>

unicorn

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Unicorn, detail from “The Lady and the Unicorn” tapestry, late 15th century; in the …—Giraudon/Art Resource, New York

Mythological animal resembling a white horse with a single horn on its forehead. The unicorn was depicted in Mesopotamian art and was referred to in the ancient myths of India and China. Its earliest description in Greek literature dates from c. 400 BC and probably refers to the Indian rhinoceros. The unicorn was believed to be fierce and difficult to capture, but if a virgin were brought before it, it would lay its head in the virgin's lap. Its horn was thought to offer protection against poison. Medieval writers associated the unicorn with Jesus, and the hunt for the unicorn was often represented in medieval art.