Definition

Noun: 1. A large hollow wooden figure of a horse (filled with Greek soldiers) left by the Greeks outside Troy during the Trojan War: This refers specifically to the legendary stratagem from Greek mythology, used by the Greeks to gain entry into the city of Troy and win the war. It is also known as the "Trojan Horse."

Usage

The term "wooden horse" is used almost exclusively to refer to the specific mythological object from the story of the Trojan War. It is a proper noun when referring to this specific artifact. * The Greeks built the wooden horse as a trick to end the long siege of Troy. * The story of the wooden horse is a classic tale of deception.

Advanced Usage

• As a metaphor for deception: The "wooden horse" is commonly used as a metaphor for a person, group, or thing that appears harmless or beneficial but is secretly a means for an enemy to gain access or cause harm.
  • The new software update was a wooden horse, containing malware that stole user data.

Variants and Related Words

• Trojan Horse: The more common synonym for "wooden horse." It is used identically, both for the mythological object and the modern metaphor.
• Trojan (noun, computing): In computing, a type of malicious software (malware) that misleads users about its true intent, named after the Trojan Horse myth.

Synonyms

• Trojan Horse: The direct and most frequently used synonym.
• Deceptive gift: A descriptive phrase capturing its metaphorical meaning.
• Stratagem: A plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent.

Idioms and Phrases

• Beware of Greeks bearing gifts: This idiom, derived from the same story, serves as a warning against trusting enemies who appear to be offering something beneficial. It is closely related to the concept of the wooden horse.
  • When our competitor offered to share their market research, I thought, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts."

Noun

1. a large hollow wooden figure of a horse (filled with Greek soldiers) left by the Greeks outside Troy during the Trojan War