horse

horse · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large four-legged mammal with a flowing mane and tail, used for riding and pulling loads.

  2. 2.

    A frame or structure used for support.

  3. 3.

    (slang) Heroin.

  4. 4.

    To provide with a horse or horses.

  5. 5.

    (horse around) To engage in rough, boisterous play.

Forms

plural: horses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hold your horses — wait; be patient
  • •
    straight from the horse's mouth — from a reliable source
  • •
    beat a dead horse — waste effort on something already concluded
  • •
    horse of a different color — a completely different matter
  • •
    dark horse — an unknown competitor who unexpectedly wins
  • •
    you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink — you can't force someone to do something

Related words

See also: mare, pony, ride, stallion
Synonyms: equine, mare, stallion, steed

Etymology

From Old English "hors" (horse), from Proto-Germanic "*hrussą," of uncertain further origin. The word replaced the older term "eoh" (cognate with Latin "equus"). Cognate with Old Norse "hross" and German "Ross" (poetic word for horse).