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horn
horn / hôrn/ • n. 1. a hard permanent outgrowth, often curved and pointed, found in pairs on the heads of cattle, sheep, goats, giraffes, etc., and consisting of a core of bone encased in keratinized skin. ∎ a woolly keratinized outgrowth, occurring singly or one behind another, on the snout of a rhinoceros. ∎ a deer's antler. ∎ a hornlike projection on the head of another animal, e.g., a snail's tentacle or the tuft of a horned owl. ∎ (horns) archaic a pair of horns as an emblem of a cuckold. 2. the substance of which horns are composed: powdered rhino horn. ∎ a receptacle or instrument made of horn, such as a drinking container or powder flask. 3. a thing resembling or compared to a horn in shape. ∎ a horn-shaped projection. ∎ a sharp promontory or mountain peak. ∎ a raised projection on the pommel of a Western saddle: slung from the horn of his saddle was a leather bag. ∎ (the Horn) Cape Horn. ∎ an arm or branch of a river or bay. ∎ the extremity of the moon or other crescent. ∎ Brit., vulgar slang an erect penis. 4. a wind instrument, conical in shape or wound into a spiral, originally made from an animal horn (now typically brass) and played by lip vibration. ∎ short for French horn. 5. an instrument sounding a warning or other signal: a car horn. • v. [tr.] (of an animal) butt or gore with the horns. PHRASES: blow (or toot) one's own horn inf. talk boastfully about oneself or one's achievements. draw (or pull) in one's horns become less assertive or ambitious. on the horn inf. on the telephone: she got on the horn to complain. on the horns of a dilemma faced with a decision involving equally unfavorable alternatives.PHRASAL VERBS: horn in inf. intrude; interfere.DERIVATIVES: horn·ist / -ist/ n. (in sense 4). horn·less adj. horn·like / -ˌlīk/ adj. |
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"horn." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horn." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-horn010.html "horn." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-horn010.html |
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horn
horn in zoology, one of a pair of structures projecting from the head of a hoofed animal, used chiefly as a weapon. In cattle, sheep, Old World antelopes, and related animals the horns are permanent and unbranched and are usually present in both sexes. They are composed of a sheath of keratin—a tough fibrous material derived from epithelial tissue—overlying a bony core projecting from the skull. In the deer family the branched structures, called antlers, are composed entirely of bone with no actual horn substance; they are usually present only in the male and are shed annually. The horns of the pronghorn have characteristics of both true horns and antlers. Rhinoceros horns are not true horn but greatly modified hair, derived entirely from the epidermis. Horns have long been used for many purposes, e.g., drinking cups, spoons, trumpets, containers for gunpowder, and combs. Carved pieces of horn have been found dating from prehistoric times. In art and religion horns symbolize power. The "horns of the altar" (Amos 3.14) symbolized divine protection. Hornlike protuberances appear on other animals, e.g., on the horned toad and the horned pout. |
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"horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-horn-zoo.html "horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-horn-zoo.html |
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horn
horn in biblical and derived uses a horn is taken as an emblem of power and might, a means of defence or resistance.
In Christian iconography (except as in the horns of Moses), the representation of horns on the head of a person or supernatural being are a sign of evil. Horns were also fancifully said to be worn by a cuckold. Recorded from Old English and of Germanic origin, the word comes from an Indo-European root shared by Latin cornu and Greek keras. horn of plenty another name for a cornucopia. See also gate of horn, horns, make a spoon or spoil a horn. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "horn." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "horn." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-horn.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "horn." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-horn.html |
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horn
horn.
1. Ionic, Composite, or Corinthian volute, but especially Ionic. 2. Strong-stemmed projections ending in stiff leaves commonly found on C13 Gothic capitals or crockets. 3. Projection at each corner of an altar, ash-chest, sarcophagus, or stele, also called acroterium or ear. 4. Each of four projecting portions of any abacus curved on plan. 5. Cornucopia or Horn of Plenty. 6. Projection of one member in framed work, as in the head of a door-frame, or the horn of a C19 sash-window. |
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "horn." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "horn." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-horn.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "horn." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-horn.html |
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horn
horn bony excrescence (often curved and pointed) on the head of cattle, etc.; instrument made from or in imitation of this OE.; pointed projection XIII; substance of it XV. OE. horn m., corr. to OS. horn m., OHG., ON. horn n. (Du. hoorn, G. horn), Goth. haurn n. :- Gmc. *χurnaz, -am, rel. to L. cornū, Skr. śŕṅga-, and further to Gr. Kéras; cf. HART.
Hence hornblende XVIII. — G. hornbook ABC tablet covered with horn. XVI. |
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T. F. HOAD. "horn." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "horn." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-horn.html T. F. HOAD. "horn." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-horn.html |
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horn
horn Brass musical instrument traditionally used in hunting and ceremonies. They appeared in the opera orchestras of 17th-century Europe and in the 19th century with Wagner and Strauss. The modern instrument (French horn) consists of a coiled tube of conical bore that widens to a flared bell; most have three valves. It has a mellow tone.
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"horn." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horn." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-horn.html "horn." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-horn.html |
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horn
horn (horn) n. (in anatomy) a process, outgrowth, or extension of an organ or other structure. It is often paired.
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"horn." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horn." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-horn.html "horn." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-horn.html |
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horn
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MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "horn." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "horn." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-horn.html MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "horn." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-horn.html |
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horn
horn in symphonic and chamber music: see French horn . |
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Cite this article
"horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-horn-mus.html "horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-horn-mus.html |
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Horn
Horn see King Horn . |
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Cite this article
"Horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Horn.html "Horn." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Horn.html |
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horn
horn
•adorn, born, borne, bourn, Braun, brawn, corn, dawn, drawn, faun, fawn, forborne, forewarn, forlorn, freeborn, horn, lawn, lorn, morn, mourn, newborn, Norn, outworn, pawn, porn, prawn, Quorn, sawn, scorn, Sean, shorn, spawn, suborn, sworn, thorn, thrawn, torn, Vaughan, warn, withdrawn, worn, yawn
•airborne • Ayckbourn • seaborne
•Eastbourne • stillborn • highborn
•Osborne • winterbourne
•waterborne • firstborn • Apeldoorn
•althorn • hartshorn • leghorn
•greenhorn • bighorn • inkhorn
•tinhorn • foghorn • longhorn
•shorthorn • shoehorn • Flügelhorn
•bullhorn • alpenhorn • Matterhorn
•acorn • seedcorn • sweetcorn
•barleycorn • unicorn • Capricorn
•leprechaun • tricorne • einkorn
•popcorn • Runcorn • peppercorn
•lovelorn • frogspawn • wire-drawn
•wartorn • blackthorn • hawthorn
•careworn • time-worn • shopworn
•toilworn
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"horn." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horn." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-horn.html "horn." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-horn.html |
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