First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
horn
noun \ˈhȯrn\
: one of the hard pointed parts that grows on the head of some animals (such as cattle, goats, or sheep)
: a hard pointed part that grows on the nose of a rhinoceros
: the hard material of which horns are made
Full 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
See horn defined for English-language learners
See horn defined for kids
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Origin of HORN
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German horn, Latin cornu, Greek keras
Related to HORN
- Synonyms
- cornucopia, cornet
Horn
geographical name \ˈhȯrn\
Definition of HORN
cape NW Iceland
Variants of HORN
Horn or North Cape
HORNLIKE Defined for Kids
horn
noun \ˈhȯrn\
Definition of HORN for Kids
1
: one of the hard bony growths on the head of many hoofed animals (as cattle, goats, or sheep)
2
: the tough material of which horns and hooves are composed <The knife handle was made of horn.>
3
: a brass musical instrument (as a trumpet or French horn)
4
: a usually electrical device that makes a noise like that of a horn <Drivers were blowing their horns.>
5
: something shaped like or made from a horn <Each soldier carried a horn of powder.>
6
: a musical or signaling instrument made from an animal's horn
— horned \ˈhȯrnd\ adjective
— horn·less \ˈhȯrn-ləs\ adjective
Medical Dictionary
horn
noun \ˈhȯ(ə)rn\
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\ adjective
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