horn

[[t]hɔrn[/t]]

n.

1) zool. one of the hard, keratinous, permanent, hollow, and usu. paired growths projecting from the head of certain ungulates, esp. bovids

2) zool. a similar growth, sometimes of compacted hair, as the median horn on a rhinoceros or the tusk of a narwhal

3) zool. (not in technical use) antler

4) zool. a process projecting from the head of an animal and suggestive of such a growth, as a feeler, tentacle, or crest

5) zool. the keratinous substance of which horn growths are composed in vertebrates

6) zool. anat. any similar substance, as that forming tortoise shell, hoofs, nails, or corns

7) an article made of the material of an animal horn or like substance

8) any projection or extremity resembling the horn of an animal

9) something made from, resembling, or suggesting a hollowed-out animal horn:

a drinking horn[/ex]

10) a part resembling an animal horn attributed to deities, demons, etc.:

the devil's horn[/ex]

11) Usu., horns. the imaginary projections on a cuckold's brow

12) mad

a) French horn

b) hunting horn

c) trumpet

13) mad an animal horn used as a wind instrument

14) aum an instrument for sounding a warning signal:

an automobile horn[/ex]

15) rtv

a) a tube of varying cross section used in some loudspeakers to couple the diaphragm to the sound-transmitting space

b) rtv sts Slang. a loudspeaker

16) cvb tgp sts Slang. a telephone or radiotelephone

17) a saddle pommel, esp. a high one

18) astron. one of the curved extremities of a crescent, esp. of the crescent moon

19) geo a pyramidal mountain peak, esp. one having concave faces

20) a symbol of power or strength, as in the Bible:

a horn of salvation[/ex]

21) to butt or gore with the horns

22) to cuckold

23) +phv horn in, Informal. to thrust oneself forward obtrusively; intrude or interrupt

24) made of horn

•

- blow draw on the horns of a dilemma

Etymology: bef. 900; ME, OE, c. OFris, OOHG, ON horn, Go haurn, L cornu, Ir, Welsh corn; akin to Gk kéras horn