hornet

[hawr-nit]

noun

1. any large, stinging paper wasp of the family Vespidae, as Vespa crabro giant hornet, introduced into the U.S. from Europe, or Vespula maculata bald-faced hornet, or white-faced hornet, of North America.

hornet

/ ˈhɔːnɪt /

noun

1. any of various large social wasps of the family Vespidae, esp Vespa crabro of Europe, that can inflict a severe sting

2. a strongly unfavourable reaction (often in the phrase stir up a hornet's nest )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornet¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English harnete, Old English hyrnet(u); cognate with Old High German hornaz (becoming German Horniss ); akin to horn

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornet¹

Old English hyrnetu; related to Old Saxon hornut, Old High German hornuz

Idioms and Phrases

see mad as a hornet; stir up a hornet's nest.

Example Sentences

The mayor of Aurillac, Pierre Mathonier, was reported as saying that Asian hornets threatening a beehive may have been the catalyst for the attack.

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This feeling of certainty and Scotland sit as well together as a hornets' nest and a big stick.

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“Political leaders are all afraid of poking the hornet’s nest and taking a stand.”

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"I very quickly realised that I had kicked a really nasty hornets' nest," Spinks told us.

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During autumn, the hornets shift from foraging and nest expansion to reproduction.

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