post horn

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Word: Post Horn

Definition: A "post horn" is a type of musical instrument that looks like a long, curved tube. It was used mainly by postilions (people who rode horses to deliver mail) in the 18th and 19th centuries to signal their arrival or to announce their presence.

Usage Instructions:

• When to Use: You would use the term "post horn" when talking about historical instruments, music, or the history of mail delivery.
• How to Use in a Sentence: "The post horn was an important instrument for postilions, helping them communicate with towns they approached."

Example Sentence:

• "As the postilion rode into town, he blew the post horn to let everyone know he was bringing the mail."

Advanced Usage:

• In discussions about music history or the evolution of wind instruments, you might say, "The post horn exemplifies how musical instruments were integrated into daily life in the 18th century."

Word Variants:

• Postilion: A rider who drives a horse-drawn vehicle, often used in connection with the post horn.
• Horn: A general term for similar wind instruments.

Different Meanings:

• "Horn" can refer to other types of instruments, like a trumpet or a horn used in orchestras, or even to the hard, bony structure found on animals.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "post horn," but related terms include:
  • Bugle: A simple wind instrument that is similar in function.
  • Trumpet: A brass instrument that produces a loud, clear sound.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specific to "post horn," but you might encounter phrases related to music or signaling, such as "to blow one's own horn," which means to boast about oneself.

Summary:

The post horn is a historical wind instrument used by mail carriers known as postilions. It played an important role in communication during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Academic

Noun

1. wind instrument used by postilions of the 18th and 19th centuries