dehorn

verb de·horn \ (ˌ)dē-ˈhȯrn \

|Updated on: 2 Jul 2018

Definition of dehorn

transitive verb

1 : to deprive of horns

2 : to prevent the growth of the horns of

—

dehorner

noun

Recent Examples of dehorn from the Web

After protracted litigation, South Africa’s highest court in 2017 came down on the side of dehorning, lifting the ban on trading horn within the country.

— jason florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018
Even so, conservationists remain divided over some issues, particularly whether to dehorn rhinos—and what to do with the horn.

— jason florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018
Unlike the rhinos dehorned on Hume’s ranch, those that cross paths with poachers do not walk away.

— rachel nuwer, Newsweek, "Legal Trade in Rhinoceros Horns Could Save the Species From Extinction—Or Hasten Their Demise.," 21 Nov. 2016
In October, a heartbreaking image of a slain and dehorned rhino won the 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, an annual contest hosted by the National History Museum in London.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "The Touching Story Behind This Award-Winning Wildlife Image," 22 Feb. 2018
Stirton’s image, which shows a black rhino recently killed and dehorned by poachers in South Africa’s Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve would be beautiful if not for the grizzly butchering that has taken place on the rhino’s face.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Tragedy and Beauty of Nature on Display in This Year’s Best Wildlife Photos," 19 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dehorn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.