Definition

Adjective: - Having eyeglass frames made from horn, tortoiseshell, or a plastic material that imitates the appearance of these substances. This term is almost exclusively used to describe the style of eyeglass frames.

Usage and Examples

The adjective horn-rimmed is used attributively, meaning it is placed directly before the noun it modifies, most commonly "glasses" or "spectacles."

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used figuratively to evoke a specific aesthetic, era (e.g., the 1950s or 1960s), or personality type (e.g., intellectual, bookish, or retro).
  • The character was given a horn-rimmed look to emphasize his nerdy persona.

Variants and Related Words

• Horn-rims (noun, informal): A shortened, colloquial term for horn-rimmed glasses.
  • He took off his horn-rims and rubbed his eyes.

Synonyms

• Thick-framed: Describes glasses with prominent frames, though not necessarily made of the specific materials implied by "horn-rimmed."
• Tortoiseshell (when describing the pattern): Refers to the distinctive mottled brown pattern often associated with classic horn-rimmed frames.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is descriptive of the frame's material or simulated appearance. While originally made from actual animal horn or tortoiseshell, modern "horn-rimmed" glasses are almost always made from acetate or other plastics designed to mimic that classic look.
• It is a compound adjective. As per the instruction, the explanation focuses on this specific compound form.

Adjective

1. having the frame made of horn or tortoise shell or plastic that simulates either
   • horn-rimmed glasses