horn

[[t]hɔ͟ː(r)n[/t]]

horns

1) N-COUNT: oft supp N On a vehicle such as a car, the horn is the device that makes a loud noise as a signal or warning.

He sounded the car horn.

2) N-COUNT: usu pl The horns of an animal such as a cow or deer are the hard pointed things that grow from its head.

A mature cow has horns.

3) N-UNCOUNT Horn is the hard substance that the horns of animals are made of. Horn is sometimes used to make objects such as spoons, buttons, or ornaments.

→ See also horn-rimmed

4) N-COUNT: oft the N A horn is a musical instrument of the brass family. It is a long circular metal tube, wide at one end, which you play by blowing.

Syn:

French horn

5) N-COUNT A horn is a simple musical instrument consisting of a metal tube that is wide at one end and narrow at the other. You play it by blowing into it.

...a hunting horn.

6) N-COUNT A horn is a hollow curved object that is narrow at one end and wide at the other.

...a wind-up gramophone with a big horn.

7) → See also shoehorn

8) PHRASE If you blow your own horn, you boast about yourself. [mainly AM]

(in BRIT, usually use blow your own trumpet)

9) PHR-RECIP: V inflects, pl-n PHR If two people lock horns, they argue about something.

During his six years in office, Seidman has often locked horns with lawmakers.

10) PHRASE: PHR after v If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant or difficult.

The bird is caught on the horns of a dilemma. Should it attack the predator, even though it then risks its own life? Or should it get out while the going is good?

Syn:

in a quandry

11) PHRASE: V inflects If someone pulls in their horns or draws in their horns, they start behaving more cautiously than they did before, especially by spending less money.

Customers are drawing in their horns at a time of high interest rates.

12) blow your own horn → see blow

take the bull by the horns → see bull