houyhnhnm
Noun: A member of a fictional race of intelligent, rational, and virtuous horses who rule over the brutish human-like creatures called Yahoos, as depicted in Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical novel Gulliver's Travels. The Houyhnhnms represent an idealized society based on pure reason and nature, in contrast to the flawed humanity represented by the Yahoos.
- In the novel, Gulliver learns the Houyhnhnm language and comes to admire their society.
- The Houyhnhnm council debated whether Gulliver, being a Yahoo, could be allowed to live among them.
- Swift uses the Houyhnhnms as a vehicle for his satire on human nature.
- The term is often used in literary and philosophical discussions to represent an idealized state of rational existence or a utopian society governed entirely by logic and devoid of emotion, lies, or conflict.
- The philosopher described his vision of a perfect society as almost Houyhnhnm-like in its reliance on pure reason.
- It can be used adjectivally (though this is a non-standard usage) to describe something characterized by extreme rationality or a cold, emotionless logic.
- His Houyhnhnm analysis of the emotional situation failed to account for human feelings.
- Yahoo (noun): The other fictional race in Swift's novel, representing the brutish, degenerate, and irrational aspects of humanity, which are ruled by the Houyhnhnms.
- Laputan (adjective): From another part of (Laputa), meaning absurdly or impractical intellectual. While related, it contrasts with the grounded, practical reason of the Houyhnhnms.
- Rational being (in the specific context of the satire)
- Utopian (as a type or symbol)
The word "Houyhnhnm" is a neologism created by Jonathan Swift, meant to imitate the sound of a horse's whinny. Its primary meaning is inextricably linked to its singular literary source. It does not have standard idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs associated with it, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific fictional race. Its use outside of direct reference to Swift's work is always allusive and metaphorical.
- one of a race of intelligent horses who ruled the Yahoos in a novel by Jonathan Swift