horn
/hɔ:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A hard, pointed, often curved growth on the head of certain animals: This is the primary meaning, referring to the permanent bony structures, often made of keratin, found on animals like cattle, goats, and antelopes. In deer, these are called antlers.
- A substance: The hard material (keratin) that forms animal horns, hooves, claws, and nails.
- A device that produces a loud sound: A warning device, such as an automobile horn or a loudspeaker.
- A brass musical instrument: A wind instrument, such as a French horn or trumpet, typically with a flared bell.
- Something shaped like a horn: Any object or part that tapers to a point, such as a peninsula, a crescent moon's tip, or a projection on an anvil or saddle.
Verb:
- To gore or pierce with a horn: To attack or injure using a horn.
- To provide with horns.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The bull lowered its head, showing its sharp horns.
- The car's horn blared in the traffic jam.
- She plays the horn in the orchestra.
- We sailed around the horn of the bay.
Verb:
- The agitated bull horned the farmer. (This usage is less common).
Advanced Usage
- "to blow one's own horn": To boast or praise oneself.
- He's always blowing his own horn about his accomplishments.
- "on the horns of a dilemma": Faced with a choice between two equally undesirable options.
- The policy put the government on the horns of a dilemma.
- "lock horns": To argue or fight with someone.
- The two managers locked horns over the budget.
Variants and Related Words
- Horned (adj): Having horns.
- A horned lizard.
- Hornless (adj): Without horns.
- Horny (adj): Made of or resembling horn; hard and tough. (Note: This word has a separate, common informal meaning related to sexual arousal).
- The turtle has a horny beak.
Synonyms
- Antler: The branched horn of a deer (specifically).
- Trumpet: A type of brass horn instrument.
- Klaxon: A type of loud electric horn.
- Spur: A pointed projection (similar in shape/function).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Horn in (on) (informal): To intrude or interrupt; to join a conversation or activity without being invited.
- He always tries to horn in on our private discussions.
Related Idioms
- Take the bull by the horns: To confront a difficult problem directly and with courage.
- She decided to take the bull by the horns and ask for a promotion.
- Pull/draw in one's horns: To become less assertive or ambitious; to reduce one's spending or activity.
- After the failed venture, the company had to draw in its horns.
Noun
- a device on an automobile for making a warning noise
- a brass musical instrument consisting of a conical tube that is coiled into a spiral and played by means of valves
- an alarm device that makes a loud warning sound
- a device having the shape of a horn
- horns at the ends of a new moon
- the hornof an anvil
- the cleat had two horns
- the material (mostly keratin) that covers the horns of ungulates and forms hooves and claws and nails
- any hard protuberance from the head of an organism that is similar to or suggestive of a horn
- a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; has a narrow tube and a flared bell and is played by means of valves
- a high pommel of a Western saddle (usually metal covered with leather)
- a noise made by the driver of an automobile to give warning;
- one of the bony outgrowths on the heads of certain ungulates
- a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
Verb
- stab or pierce with a horn or tusk
- the rhino horned the explorer