hornet

American  

[hawr-nit] / ˈhɔr nɪt /

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.

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hornet British  

/ 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 )

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hornet Idioms  

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

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Etymology

Origin of hornet

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

Example Sentences

A frog with an unexpectedly strong resistance to venom has been identified, and it routinely eats hornets despite the insects' dangerous stingers.

From Science Daily

Then it will be Lavinia’s turn to be mad as a hornet—unless she discovers your clever scheme and, gentle as a lamb and sweet as a kitten, somehow persuades you to share.

From Literature

The judges said when they directed the temple officials to produce complete files and records relating to the repair of the idols, "little did we realise, that we were in fact opening a hornet's nest".

From BBC

Following the initial sighting, live traps were deployed to monitor Asian hornet activity.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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