hood ornament

Thân thiện

The shiny silver hood ornament stands proudly at the very front of the vintage car.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A decorative object attached to the front of a car's hood: A "hood ornament" is a distinctive, often sculptural, emblem mounted on the front center of a vehicle's hood, traditionally symbolizing the car's manufacturer or brand.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The classic Rolls-Royce is famous for its elegant hood ornament, the Spirit of Ecstasy.
  • Many vintage cars featured elaborate hood ornaments made of chrome or stainless steel.
  • The car's hood ornament was a simple, stylized letter representing the brand's logo.

Advanced Usage

• As a symbol of luxury or heritage: Hood ornaments are often discussed as emblems of a bygone automotive era, representing craftsmanship, prestige, and brand identity.

  • The presence of a hood ornament on the sedan was a clear nod to its luxury heritage.

• In a figurative or humorous context: The term can be used metaphorically.

  • (Figurative) He stood at the front of the rally like a human hood ornament, representing the group but not actually doing much.

Variants and Related Words

• Mascot: A term sometimes used interchangeably with "hood ornament," especially for figures or emblems representing a brand.
• Radiator cap ornament: A historical term for early hood ornaments that were integrated with the radiator cap.
• Emblem: A more general term for a symbolic design representing a group or manufacturer, which may be placed on a hood, grille, or elsewhere.

Synonyms

• Automotive emblem
• Car mascot (historical/contextual)
• Radiator mascot (historical)

Related Phrases

• To lose its hood ornament: A phrase that can literally describe a missing ornament or figuratively suggest a loss of prestige or identifying feature.
  • After the accident, the car drove around for months having lost its hood ornament.

Related Idioms

• Just a hood ornament: An idiom describing a person in a prominent position who has little real authority or function, serving only as a decorative figurehead.
  • As the new chairperson, she was determined to prove she wasn't just a hood ornament for the board.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an ornament on the front of the hood of a car emblematic of the manufacturer