horn
horn — noun
1. a hard, pointed growth found on certain mammals such as cows, goats, sheep, and
a hard, pointed growth found on certain mammals such as cows, goats, sheep, and rhinoceroses, typically growing in a matching pair.
The old ram had one broken horn from a fight with another male.
countable noun referring to a single body part
Hyun carefully examined the goat's horns for signs of damage after the storm.
Some breeds of cattle have much longer horns than others.
A rhinoceros uses its horn to dig for water and defend itself.
The museum display showed how horns grow from a bony core inside the head.
文法句型
countable noun: a horn / horns
用法筆記
Countable noun. The plural horns is common when referring to the pair found on most horned animals. A rhinoceros has one or two horns, while cattle, sheep, and goats typically have two.
常見錯誤
2. the hard, strong material made of keratin that forms animal horns, hooves, claws
the hard, strong material made of keratin that forms animal horns, hooves, claws, and nails.
Élise bought an antique comb that was carved from horn.
made of / carved from + horn (material)
Before plastic became common, many buttons were made of horn.
The knife handle was polished horn that had turned dark brown over time.
Museum workers cleaned the horn drinking cup carefully to avoid scratching its surface.
- keratin
the scientific name for the protein that horn is made of; very technical, not used in everyday conversation
- tortoiseshell
a similar material from turtle shells, often confused with horn but from a different source
文法句型
uncountable noun: made of horn
用法筆記
Uncountable material noun. Used to describe objects crafted from animal horn, especially in historical or traditional contexts. The phrase 'made of horn' or 'carved from horn' is common.
常見錯誤
3. any body part on an animal that sticks out and looks like a true horn, such as a
any body part on an animal that sticks out and looks like a true horn, such as a snail's eye stalks or a chameleon's nasal projection.
The snail slowly pulled in its two small horns when Eliska touched a nearby leaf.
snail's horns — a common non-zoological use
Ramón noticed a horn-like spike at the rear end of the caterpillar's body.
A Jackson's chameleon has three small horns on its face that grow larger with age.
Some beetles have a long horn on their head for fighting other males.
- projection
general term for any part that sticks out; less specific and more clinical than 'horn'
- antenna
the correct term for the paired sensory organs on insects and crustaceans, sometimes loosely called 'horns'
文法句型
countable noun
用法筆記
Less common in everyday speech. Used mainly in biology, nature documentaries, or when describing non-mammalian animals. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers specifically to the true keratin horns of mammals.
4. a warning device fitted to cars, trucks, and buses that produces a loud noise to
a warning device fitted to cars, trucks, and buses that produces a loud noise to alert people or attract their attention.
The driver honked her horn when a cat ran across the road.
collocation: honk + horn
Hamza pressed the horn twice to let his friend know he was waiting outside.
Kwame sounded his car horn three times when the driver ahead did not move at the green light.
The taxi driver's horn echoed through the narrow street late at night.
A loud horn blast from the truck warned the cyclists to move aside.
文法句型
countable noun: honk / sound a horn
用法筆記
Common verb collocations: honk (a horn), sound (a horn), beep (a horn), blast (a horn). In British English, 'hoot the horn' is also used. The horn is typically operated by pressing a button or ring on the steering wheel.
常見錯誤
5. a simple wind instrument, originally made from an animal's horn or from metal, t
a simple wind instrument, originally made from an animal's horn or from metal, that produces a loud sound when blown into, often used for signalling.
The hunter blew a long blast on his horn to call the dogs back.
collocation: blow a horn
Linh learned to play three folk tunes on a simple brass horn.
A loud horn sounded from the hilltop, signalling that the festival had begun.
The shepherd used a curved horn to call the sheep down from the mountain.
文法句型
countable noun: blow a horn
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6 (BRASS INSTRUMENT): this sense refers to simple, often valveless instruments used for signalling (hunting, military, ceremonial). Sense 6 refers to the complex orchestral brass instrument with valves (French horn).
6. a large coiled brass wind instrument with a wide bell-shaped end and finger-oper
a large coiled brass wind instrument with a wide bell-shaped end and finger-operated valves for changing pitch, commonly used in orchestras and bands.
Iris played the French horn in the school orchestra for three years.
play + the + French horn (orchestral instrument)
The horn section stood up and played a powerful melody during the final movement.
Eric spent two hours practising long notes on his new horn.
A professional horn player needs strong breath control and a good ear for pitch.
The conductor asked the horn to play the passage more softly.
- French horn
the full name of the orchestral brass instrument; 'horn' is the shortened form
- trumpet
a different brass instrument with a brighter, higher sound and a different shape
文法句型
countable noun: play the horn
用法筆記
In orchestra contexts, 'horn' alone usually means the French horn. In jazz, 'horn' can informally refer to any brass or wind instrument (saxophone, trumpet). The definite article is used when referring to the instrument as a section role ('plays the horn').