noun
hornet
HOR-nit/ˈhɔːrnɪt/
A large wasp with a painful sting.
The large hornet perches on a bare twig with its wings folded.
Etymology
Old English hyrnet named a large wasp and other insects. One proposed explanation traces its deeper ancestry to an imitation of buzzing, making the insect's sound the basis of its name.
In context
And today we're going to compare the sting of a paper wasp versus a hornet. Now it's important to know that both of these insects are capable of stinging multiple times.
More examples
- Several hornets fly in and out of the nest.
- A hornet stung my arm while I was gardening.
- We keep our distance from the hornet's nest.
Forms
hornet · hornets
Similar words
- wasp
- A broader insect category that includes hornets and smaller species.
- yellowjacket
- A related wasp, usually smaller and often nesting underground.