dehorn

American  

[dee-hawrn] / diˈhɔrn /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove the horns of (cattle).

2. to prevent the formation or growth of horns in (cattle), as by cauterization.

3. Horticulture. to prune (a tree, shrub, etc.) by shortening major branches to an extreme degree.

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dehorn British  

/ diːˈhɔːn /

verb

1. to remove or prevent the growth of the horns of (cattle, sheep, or goats)

2. to cut back (the larger limbs of a tree) drastically

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Other Word Forms

• dehorner noun

Etymology

Origin of dehorn

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; de- + horn

Example Sentences

Wildlife managers first started to dehorn rhinos in Namibia in 1989.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 11, 2023

On a recent morning, Otto and other Hume employees prepared to dehorn 19 bulls — a brisk, clinical undertaking.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2021

“Lay people can castrate and dehorn, but they don’t always recognize if an animal is sick,” he said.

From Washington Times • Mar. 21, 2020

For instance, animal welfare advocates have long criticized the way farmers use caustic paste or hot irons to dehorn dairy cows so the animals don’t harm each other.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2018

It is believed, however, that the common practice in top-working pecan, hickory, and walnut has been to dehorn too severely.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 41st Annual Meeting Pleasant Valley, New York, August 28, 29 and 30, 1950 by Northern Nut Growers Association