high-blower

A rider calms a high-blower before a morning ride.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A horse that snorts loudly: "high-blower" refers to a horse that habitually makes a loud, forceful exhalation through the nose, often due to excitement, nervousness, or a respiratory condition.
   • By extension, a person who is boastful or pretentious: Though rare, the term can be used metaphorically to describe someone who speaks loudly or arrogantly, as if "snorting" with self-importance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The stablemaster avoided purchasing the high-blower because its loud snorting disturbed other horses. (A horse that snorts noisily.)
  • At the auction, the high-blower was sold cheaply due to its habit of making loud noises. (A horse with a tendency to snort.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act like a high-blower": to behave in a boastful or noisy manner.
  • He strutted into the room, acting like a high-blower, and offended everyone with his loud opinions. (He behaved arrogantly and noisily.)

Variants and Related Words

• High-blowing (adj): describing a horse that snorts loudly.
  • The high-blowing mare was difficult to train because she was easily startled. (The mare that snorts loudly.)

Synonyms

• Snorter: a horse or person that makes a loud snorting sound.
• Blusterer: a person who talks in a loud, aggressive, or boastful way.

Related Idioms

• To snort with contempt: to express disdain by making a loud exhalation.
  • The critic snorted with contempt at the actor's performance. (Showed strong disapproval.)

Note: "High-blower" is an archaic or specialized term, primarily used in historical or equestrian contexts. It has no common modern usage outside of horse breeding or literature.