horn

[hawrn] /hɔrn/
noun
1.
one of the bony, permanent, hollow paired growths, often curved and pointed, that project from the upper part of the head of certain ungulate mammals, as cattle, sheep, goats, or antelopes.
2.
a similar growth, sometimes of hair, as the median horn or horns on the snout of the rhinoceros, or the tusk of the narwhal.
3.
antler.
4.
a process projecting from the head of an animal and suggestive of such a growth, as a feeler, tentacle, or crest.
5.
the bony substance of which such animal growths are composed.
6.
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, as a thimble, spoon, or shoehorn.
8.
any projection or extremity resembling the horn of an animal.
9.
something resembling or suggesting an animal horn:
a drinking horn.
10.
a part resembling an animal horn attributed to deities, demons, etc.:
the devil's horn.
11.
Usually, horns. the imaginary projections on a cuckold's brow.
12.
Music.
  1. a wind instrument, originally formed from the hollow horn of an animal but now usually made of brass or other metal or plastic.
  2. French horn.
13.
something used as or resembling such a wind instrument.
14.
Slang. a trumpet.
15.
an instrument for sounding a warning signal:
an automobile horn.
16.
Aeronautics. any of certain short, armlike levers on the control surfaces of an airplane.
17.
Radio.
  1. a tube of varying cross section used in some loudspeakers to couple the diaphragm to the sound-transmitting space.
  2. Slang. a loudspeaker.
18.
Slang. a telephone or radiotelephone:
I've been on the horn all morning.
19.
the high protuberant part at the front and top of certain saddles; a pommel, especially a high one.
20.
Carpentry. (in a door or window frame) that part of a jamb extending above the head.
21.
one of the curved extremities of a crescent, especially of the crescent moon.
22.
a crescent-shaped tract of land.
23.
a pyramidal mountain peak, especially one having concave faces carved by glaciation.
24.
a symbol of power or strength, as in the Bible:
a horn of salvation.
25.
each of the alternatives of a dilemma.
26.
the narrow, more pointed part of an anvil.
27.
ear tuft.
28.
Metalworking. a projection at the side of the end of a rolled sheet or strip, caused by unevenness of the roll due to wear.
29.
Horology. (in a lever escapement) either of the two prongs at the end of the lever fork guarding against overbanking when the guard pin is in the crescent.
verb (used with object)
30.
to cuckold.
31.
to butt or gore with the horns.
32.
Shipbuilding. to set up (a frame or bulkhead of a vessel being built) at a proper angle to the keel with due regard to the inclination of the keel on the ways; plumb.
adjective
33.
made of horn.
Idioms
34.
blow / toot one's own horn, Informal. to publicize or boast about one's abilities or achievements:
He's a bright fellow, but likes to blow his own horn too much.
35.
draw / pull in one's horns, to restrain oneself or become less belligerent; retreat:
Since he lost so much gambling, he's drawn in his horns a bit.
36.
horn in, Informal. to thrust oneself forward obtrusively; intrude or interrupt:
Every time we try to have a private conversation, the boss horns in.
37.
lock horns, to conflict, quarrel, or disagree:
The administration and the staff locked horns over the proposed measures.
38.
on the horns of a dilemma, confronted with two equally disagreeable choices.
Origin
before 900; Middle English horn(e) (noun), Old English horn; cognate with Dutch horen, Old Norse, Danish, Swedish horn, German Horn, Gothic haurn, Latin cornu cornu, Irish, Welsh corn; akin to Greek kéras horn (see cerat-)
Related forms
hornish, adjective
hornless, adjective
hornlessness, noun
hornlike, adjective

lock1

[lok] /lɒk/
noun
1.
a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.
2.
a contrivance for fastening or securing something.
3.
  1. the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
  2. safety (def 4).
4.
any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.
5.
an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water.
6.
an air lock or decompression chamber.
7.
complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold:
The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.
8.
Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing:
He's a lock to win the championship.
9.
Wrestling. any of various holds, especially a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head:
leg lock.
10.
Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.
11.
Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.
verb (used with object)
12.
to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.
13.
to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.
14.
to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock:
He locked the steering wheel on his car.
15.
to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts:
to lock the wheels of a wagon.
16.
to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining:
to lock arms.
17.
to hold fast in an embrace:
She was locked in his arms.
18.
to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often followed by through, in, out, down, or up).
19.
to furnish with locks, as a canal.
verb (used without object)
20.
to become locked:
This door locks with a key.
21.
to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked:
gears that lock into place.
22.
to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.
23.
to construct locks in waterways.
Verb phrases
24.
lock in,
  1. to commit unalterably:
    to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.
  2. (of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.
25.
lock off, to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.
26.
lock on, to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.
27.
lock out,
  1. to keep out by or as if by a lock.
  2. to subject (employees) to a lockout.
28.
lock up,
  1. to imprison for a crime.
  2. Printing. to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.
  3. to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.
  4. to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.
  5. to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.
Idioms
29.
lock horns, to come into conflict; clash:
to lock horns with a political opponent.
30.
lock, stock, and barrel, completely; entirely; including every part, item, or facet, no matter how small or insignificant:
We bought the whole business, lock, stock, and barrel.
31.
under lock and key, securely locked up:
The documents were under lock and key.
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English loc fastening, bar; cognate with Middle Low German lok, Old High German loh, Old Norse lok a cover, lid, Gothic -luk in usluk opening; akin to Old English lūcan to shut
Related forms
lockless, adjective
self-locking, adjective
well-locked, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for lock horns

horn

/hɔːn/
noun
1.
either of a pair of permanent outgrowths on the heads of cattle, antelopes, sheep, etc, consisting of a central bony core covered with layers of keratin related adjectives corneous keratoid
2.
the outgrowth from the nasal bone of a rhinoceros, consisting of a mass of fused hairs
3.
any hornlike projection or process, such as the eyestalk of a snail
4.
the antler of a deer
5.
  1. the constituent substance, mainly keratin, of horns, hooves, etc
  2. (in combination): horn-rimmed spectacles
6.
a container or device made from this substance or an artificial substitute: a shoe horn, a drinking horn
7.
an object or part resembling a horn in shape, such as the points at either end of a crescent, the point of an anvil, the pommel of a saddle, or a cornucopia
8.
a primitive musical wind instrument made from the horn of an animal
9.
any musical instrument consisting of a pipe or tube of brass fitted with a mouthpiece, with or without valves See hunting horn, French horn, cor anglais
10.
(jazz, slang) any wind instrument
11.
  1. a device for producing a warning or signalling noise
  2. (in combination): a foghorn
12.
(usually pl) the hornlike projection attributed to certain devils, deities, etc
13.
(usually pl) the imaginary hornlike parts formerly supposed to appear on the forehead of a cuckold
14.
Also called horn balance. an extension of an aircraft control surface that projects in front of the hinge providing aerodynamic assistance in moving the control
15.
  1. Also called acoustic horn, exponential horn. a hollow conical device coupled to the diaphragm of a gramophone to control the direction and quality of the sound
  2. any such device used to spread or focus sound, such as the device attached to an electrical loudspeaker in a public address system
  3. Also called horn antenna. a microwave aerial, formed by flaring out the end of a waveguide
16.
(geology) another name for pyramidal peak
17.
a stretch of land or water shaped like a horn
18.
(Brit, slang) an erection of the penis
19.
(Bible) a symbol of power, victory, or success: in my name shall his horn be exalted
20.
(US & Canadian) blow one's horn, to boast about oneself; brag Brit equivalent blow one's own trumpet
21.
draw in one's horns, pull in one's horns
  1. to suppress or control one's feelings, esp of anger, enthusiasm, or passion
  2. to withdraw a previous statement
  3. to economize
22.
on the horns of a dilemma
  1. in a situation involving a choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives
  2. in an awkward situation
verb (transitive)
23.
to provide with a horn or horns
24.
to gore or butt with a horn
See also horn in
Derived Forms
hornless, adjective
hornlike, adjective
Word Origin
Old English; related to Old Norse horn, Gothic haurn, Latin cornu horn

Horn

/hɔːn/
noun
1.
Cape, See Cape Horn

lock1

/lɒk/
noun
1.
a device fitted to a gate, door, drawer, lid, etc, to keep it firmly closed and often to prevent access by unauthorized persons
2.
a similar device attached to a machine, vehicle, etc, to prevent use by unauthorized persons: a steering lock
3.
  1. a section of a canal or river that may be closed off by gates to control the water level and the raising and lowering of vessels that pass through it
  2. (as modifier): a lock gate
4.
the jamming, fastening, or locking together of parts
5.
(Brit) the extent to which a vehicle's front wheels will turn to the right or left: this car has a good lock
6.
a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun
7.
(US & Canadian, informal) a person or thing that is certain to win or to succeed: she is a lock for the Academy Award
8.
lock, stock, and barrel, completely; entirely
9.
any wrestling hold in which a wrestler seizes a part of his opponent's body and twists it or otherwise exerts pressure upon it
10.
(rugby) Also called lock forward. either of two players who make up the second line of the scrum and apply weight to the forwards in the front line
11.
a gas bubble in a hydraulic system or a liquid bubble in a pneumatic system that stops or interferes with the fluid flow in a pipe, capillary, etc: an air lock
verb
12.
to fasten (a door, gate, etc) or (of a door, etc) to become fastened with a lock, bolt, etc, so as to prevent entry or exit
13.
(transitive) to secure (a building) by locking all doors, windows, etc
14.
to fix or become fixed together securely or inextricably
15.
to become or cause to become rigid or immovable: the front wheels of the car locked
16.
(when transitive, often passive) to clasp or entangle (someone or each other) in a struggle or embrace
17.
(transitive) to furnish (a canal) with locks
18.
(transitive) to move (a vessel) through a system of locks
19.
lock horns, (esp of two equally matched opponents) to become engaged in argument or battle
20.
lock the stable door after the horse has bolted, lock the stable door after the horse has been stolen, to take precautions after harm has been done
See also lock on to, lock out, lock up
Derived Forms
lockable, adjective
Word Origin
Old English loc; related to Old Norse lok

lock2

/lɒk/
noun
1.
a strand, curl, or cluster of hair
2.
a tuft or wisp of wool, cotton, etc
3.
(pl) (mainly literary) hair, esp when curly or fine
Word Origin
Old English loc; related to Old Frisian lok, Old Norse lokkr lock of wool
Word Origin and History for lock horns

lock

n.

"means of fastening," Old English loc "bolt, fastening; barrier, enclosure," from Proto-Germanic *lukan (cf. Old Norse lok "fastening, lock," Gothic usluks "opening," Old High German loh "dungeon," German Loch "opening, hole," Dutch luik "shutter, trapdoor"). "The great diversity of meaning in the Teut. words seems to indicate two or more independent but formally identical substantival formations from the root."

The Old English sense "barrier, enclosure" led to the specific meaning "barrier on a river" (c.1300), and the more specific sense "gate and sluice system on a water channel used as a means of raising and lowering boats" (1570s). Wrestling sense is from c.1600. Phrase under lock and key attested from early 14c.

"tress of hair," Old English locc "lock of hair, curl," from Proto-Germanic *lukkoz (cf. Old Norse lokkr, Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch lok, Old High German loc, German Locke "lock of hair"), from PIE *lugnos-, perhaps related to Greek lygos "pliant twig, withe," Lithuanian lugnas "flexible."

v.

"to fasten with a lock," c.1300, from Old English lucan "to lock, to close" (class II strong verb; past tense leac, past participle locen), from the same root as lock (n.1). Cognate with Old Frisian luka "to close," Old Saxon lukan, Old High German luhhan, Old Norse luka, Gothic galukan. Meaning "to embrace closely" is from 1610s. Related: Locked; locking. Slang lock horns "fight" is from 1839.

horn

n.

Old English horn "horn of an animal," also "wind instrument" (originally made from animal horns), from Proto-Germanic *hurnaz (cf. German Horn, Dutch horen, Gothic haurn), from PIE *ker- "horn; head, uppermost part of the body," with derivatives refering to horned animals, horn-shaped objects and projecting parts (cf. Greek karnon "horn," Latin cornu "horn," Sanskrit srngam "horn," Persian sar "head," Avestan sarah- "head," Greek koryphe "head," Latin cervus "deer," Welsh carw "deer"). Reference to car horns is first recorded 1901. Figurative senses of Latin cornu included "salient point, chief argument; wing, flank; power, courage, strength." Jazz slang sense of "trumpet" is by 1921. Meaning "telephone" is by 1945.

v.

1690s, "to furnish with horns," from horn (n.). Earlier in figurative sense of "to cuckold" (1540s). Meaning "to push with the horns" (of cattle, buffalo, etc.) is from 1851, American English; phrase horn in "intrude" is by 1880, American English, originally cowboy slang.

lock horns in Medicine

horn (hôrn)
n.

  1. One of the hard, usually permanent structures projecting from the head of certain mammals, such as cattle, consisting of a bony core covered with a sheath of keratinous material.

  2. A hard protuberance that is similar to or suggestive of a horn.

  3. The hard, smooth keratinous material forming the outer covering of animal horns.

  4. Any of the major subdivisions of the lateral ventricle in the cerebral hemisphere of the brain: the frontal horn, occipital horn, and temporal horn. Also called cornu.

lock horns in Science
horn
  (hôrn)   

  1. Either of the bony growths projecting from the upper part of the head of certain hoofed mammals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The horns of these animals are never shed, and they consist of bone covered by keratin.

  2. A hard growth that looks like a horn, such as an antler or a growth on the head of a giraffe or rhinoceros. Unlike true horns, antlers are shed yearly and have a velvety covering, and the horns of a rhinoceros are made not of bone but of hairy skin fused with keratin.

  3. The hard durable substance that forms the outer covering of true horns. It consists of keratin.


Slang definitions & phrases for lock horns

lock horns

verb phrase

To contend with; fight: They had locked horns with a better man/ She has also locked horns with the network (1839+)


horn

noun
  1. Any wind instrument (1940s+ Jazz musicians)
  2. The trumpet (1900+ Jazz musicians)
  3. A penile erection; hard-on: I could have beat up five guys with the horn I had on (1785+)
  4. The telephone: I get straight on the horn to Eckert (1940s+)
Related Terms

grunt-horn, like shit through a tin horn, tinhorn, toot one's own horn


lock

verb

To be seemingly paralyzed and helpless; choke: He locked on Letterman (1990s+)

Related Terms

lockdown


lock horns in the Bible

Trumpets were at first horns perforated at the tip, used for various purposes (Josh. 6:4,5). Flasks or vessels were made of horn (1 Sam. 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39). But the word is used also metaphorically to denote the projecting corners of the altar of burnt offerings (Ex. 27:2) and of incense (30:2). The horns of the altar of burnt offerings were to be smeared with the blood of the slain bullock (29:12; Lev. 4:7-18). The criminal, when his crime was accidental, found an asylum by laying hold of the horns of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28). The word also denotes the peak or summit of a hill (Isa. 5:1, where the word "hill" is the rendering of the same Hebrew word). This word is used metaphorically also for strength (Deut. 33:17) and honour (Job 16:15; Lam. 2:3). Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, as they are the chief means of attack and defence with the animals endowed with them (Dan. 8:5, 9; 1 Sam. 2:1; 16:1, 13; 1 Kings 1:39; 22:11; Josh. 6:4, 5; Ps. 75:5, 10; 132:17; Luke 1:69, etc.). The expression "horn of salvation," applied to Christ, means a salvation of strength, or a strong Saviour (Luke 1:69). To have the horn "exalted" denotes prosperity and triumph (Ps. 89:17, 24). To "lift up" the horn is to act proudly (Zech. 1:21). Horns are also the symbol of royal dignity and power (Jer. 48:25; Zech. 1:18; Dan. 8:24).


The Hebrews usually secured their doors by bars of wood or iron (Isa. 45:2; 1 Kings 4:3). These were the locks originally used, and were opened and shut by large keys applied through an opening in the outside (Judg. 3:24). (See KEY.) Lock of hair (Judg. 16:13, 19; Ezek. 8:3; Num. 6:5, etc.).

Idioms and Phrases with lock horns

lock horns

Become embroiled in conflict, as in At the town meeting Kate and Steve locked horns over increasing the property tax. This expression alludes to how stags and bulls use their horns to fight one another. [ First half of 1800s ]

horn

In addition to the idioms beginning with horn
horn in on
also see:

lock

also see:
under lock and key