HORNET

hornet

(noun) large stinging paper wasp

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

hornet (plural hornets)

A large wasp, of the genus Vespa, having a brown-and-yellow-striped body and the ability to inflict a serious sting.

A person who pesters with petty but ceaseless attacks.

Anagrams

• Rhoten, Theron, Thoren, Thorne, enhort, nother, other'n, throne

Noun

Hornet (plural Hornets)

(soccer) someone connected with Watford Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.

Anagrams

• Rhoten, Theron, Thoren, Thorne, enhort, nother, other'n, throne

Source: Wiktionary

Hor"net, n. Etym: [AS. hyrnet; akin to OHG. hornaz, hornuz, G. horniss; perh. akin to E. horn, and named from the sound it makes as if blowing the horn; but more prob. akin to D. horzel, Lith. szirszone, L. crabo.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: A large, strong wasp. The European species (Vespa crabro) is of a dark brown and yellow color. It is very pugnacious, and its sting is very severe. Its nest is constructed of a paperlike material, and the layers of comb are hung together by columns. The American white- faced hornet (V. maculata) is larger and has similar habits. Hornet fly (Zoöl.), any dipterous insect of the genus Asilus, and allied genera, of which there are numerous species. They are large and fierce flies which capture bees and other insects, often larger than themselves, and suck their blood. Called also hawk fly, robber fly.

– To stir up a hornet's nest, to provoke the attack of a swarm of spiteful enemies or spirited critics. [Colloq.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition