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lock horns

 - 10 dictionary results
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horn

  [hawrn]
Use lock horns in a Sentence
–noun
1. one of the bony, permanent, hollow paired growths, often curved and pointed, that project from the upper part of the head of certain ungulate mammals, as cattle, sheep, goats, or antelopes.
2. a similar growth, sometimes of hair, as the median horn or horns on the snout of the rhinoceros, or the tusk of the narwhal.
3. antler.
4. a process projecting from the head of an animal and suggestive of such a growth, as a feeler, tentacle, or crest.
5. the bony substance of which such animal growths are composed.
6. any similar substance, as that forming tortoise shell, hoofs, nails, or corns.
7. an article made of the material of an animal horn or like substance, as a thimble, spoon, or shoehorn.
8. any projection or extremity resembling the horn of an animal.
9. something resembling or suggesting an animal horn: a drinking horn.
10. a part resembling an animal horn attributed to deities, demons, etc.: the devil's horn.
11. Usually, horns. the imaginary projections on a cuckold's brow.
12. Music.
a. a wind instrument, originally formed from the hollow horn of an animal but now usually made of brass or other metal or plastic.
b. French horn.
13. something used as or resembling such a wind instrument.
14. Slang. a trumpet.
15. an instrument for sounding a warning signal: an automobile horn.
16. Aeronautics. any of certain short, armlike levers on the control surfaces of an airplane.
17. Radio.
a. a tube of varying cross section used in some loudspeakers to couple the diaphragm to the sound-transmitting space.
b. Slang. a loudspeaker.
18. Slang. a telephone or radiotelephone: I've been on the horn all morning.
19. the high protuberant part at the front and top of certain saddles; a pommel, esp. a high one.
20. Carpentry. (in a door or window frame) that part of a jamb extending above the head.
21. one of the curved extremities of a crescent, esp. of the crescent moon.
22. a crescent-shaped tract of land.
23. a pyramidal mountain peak, esp. one having concave faces carved by glaciation.
24. a symbol of power or strength, as in the Bible: a horn of salvation.
25. each of the alternatives of a dilemma.
26. the narrow, more pointed part of an anvil.
27. ear tuft.
28. Metalworking. a projection at the side of the end of a rolled sheet or strip, caused by unevenness of the roll due to wear.
29. Horology. (in a lever escapement) either of the two prongs at the end of the lever fork guarding against overbanking when the guard pin is in the crescent.
–verb (used with object)
30. to cuckold.
31. to butt or gore with the horns.
32. Shipbuilding. to set up (a frame or bulkhead of a vessel being built) at a proper angle to the keel with due regard to the inclination of the keel on the ways; plumb.
–adjective
33. made of horn.
—Idioms
34. blow (or toot) one's own horn, Informal. to publicize or boast about one's abilities or achievements: He's a bright fellow, but likes to blow his own horn too much.
35. draw or pull in one's horns, to restrain oneself or become less belligerent; retreat: Since he lost so much gambling, he's drawn in his horns a bit.
36. horn in, Informal. to thrust oneself forward obtrusively; intrude or interrupt: Every time we try to have a private conversation, the boss horns in.
37. lock horns, to conflict, quarrel, or disagree: The administration and the staff locked horns over the proposed measures.
38. on the horns of a dilemma, confronted with two equally disagreeable choices.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME horn(e) (n.), OE horn; c. D horen, ON, Dan, Sw horn, G Horn, Goth haurn, L cornu cornu, Ir, Welsh corn; akin to Gk kéras horn (see cerat- )

Related forms:
hornish, adjective
hornless, adjective
horn⋅less⋅ness, noun
hornlike, adjective
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lock

1  [lok]
–noun
1. a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.
2. a contrivance for fastening or securing something.
3. (in a firearm)
a. the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
b. safety (def. 4).
4. any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.
5. an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water.
6. an air lock or decompression chamber.
7. complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold: The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.
8. Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing: He's a lock to win the championship.
9. Wrestling. any of various holds, esp. a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head: leg lock.
10. Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.
11. Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.
–verb (used with object)
12. to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.
13. to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.
14. to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock: He locked the steering wheel on his car.
15. to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts: to lock the wheels of a wagon.
16. to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining: to lock arms.
17. to hold fast in an embrace: She was locked in his arms.
18. to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often fol. by through, in, out, down, or up).
19. to furnish with locks, as a canal.
–verb (used without object)
20. to become locked: This door locks with a key.
21. to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked: gears that lock into place.
22. to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.
23. to construct locks in waterways.
—Verb phrases
24. lock in,
a. to commit unalterably: to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.
b. (of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.
25. lock off, to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.
26. lock on, to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.
27. lock out,
a. to keep out by or as if by a lock.
b. to subject (employees) to a lockout.
28. lock up,
a. to imprison for a crime.
b. Printing. to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.
c. to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.
d. to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.
e. to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.
—Idioms
29. lock horns, to come into conflict; clash: to lock horns with a political opponent.
30. lock, stock, and barrel, completely; entirely; including every part, item, or facet, no matter how small or insignificant: We bought the whole business, lock, stock, and barrel.
31. under lock and key, securely locked up: The documents were under lock and key.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE loc fastening, bar; c. MLG lok, OHG loh, ON lok a cover, lid, Goth -luk in usluk opening; akin to OE lūcan to shut

Related forms:
lockless, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lock horns
lock 1   (lŏk)   
n.  

  1. A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing.

  2. A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section.

  3. A mechanism in a firearm for exploding the charge.

  4. An interlocking or entanglement of elements or parts.

    1. Sports A hold in wrestling or self-defense that is secured on a part of an opponent's body.

    2. A secure hold; control: The distributor has a lock on most of the market.

    3. A sure thing; a certainty: His promotion is a lock.

v.   locked, lock·ing, locks

v.   tr.

    1. To fasten the lock of: close and lock a drawer.

    2. To shut or make secure with or as if with locks: locked the house.

    3. To sight and follow (a moving target) automatically: locked the enemy fighter in the gun sights.

    4. To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically: "The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate" (Ed Magnuson).

    5. To equip (a waterway) with locks.

    6. To pass (a vessel) through a lock.

    7. To secure (letterpress type) in a chase or press bed by tightening the quoins.

    8. To fasten (a curved plate) to the cylinder of a rotary press.

    9. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.

    10. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.

  2. To confine or exclude by or as if by means of a lock: locked the dog in for the night; locked the criminal up in a cell.

  3. To fix in place so that movement or escape is impossible; hold fast: The ship was locked in the ice through the winter. She felt that she had become locked into a binding agreement.

    1. To sight and follow (a moving target) automatically: locked the enemy fighter in the gun sights.

    2. To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically: "The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate" (Ed Magnuson).

    3. To equip (a waterway) with locks.

    4. To pass (a vessel) through a lock.

    5. To secure (letterpress type) in a chase or press bed by tightening the quoins.

    6. To fasten (a curved plate) to the cylinder of a rotary press.

    7. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.

    8. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.

  5. To engage and interlock securely so as to be immobile.

  6. To clasp or link firmly; intertwine: locked arms and walked away.

  7. To bind in close struggle or battle: The two dogs were locked in combat.

    1. To equip (a waterway) with locks.

    2. To pass (a vessel) through a lock.

    3. To secure (letterpress type) in a chase or press bed by tightening the quoins.

    4. To fasten (a curved plate) to the cylinder of a rotary press.

    5. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.

    6. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.

  9. Printing

    1. To secure (letterpress type) in a chase or press bed by tightening the quoins.

    2. To fasten (a curved plate) to the cylinder of a rotary press.

    3. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.

    4. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.

  10. To invest (funds) in such a way that they cannot easily be converted into cash.

  11. Computer Science

    1. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.

    2. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.

v.   intr.

  1. To become fastened by or as if by means of a lock: The door locks automatically when shut.

  2. To become entangled; interlock.

  3. To become rigid or immobile: The mechanism tends to lock in cold weather.

  4. To pass through a lock or locks in a waterway.

Phrasal Verb(s):
lock outTo withhold work from (employees) during a labor dispute.

Idiom(s):
lock hornsTo become embroiled in conflict.

Idiom(s):
lock, stock, and barrelTo the greatest or most complete extent; wholly: an estate that was auctioned off lock, stock, and barrel.

Idiom(s):
under lock and keySecurely locked up.

[Middle English, from Old English loc, bolt, bar.]
lock'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
horn

  1. n.
    the nose. : He scratched his horn with his pencil and opened his mouth to speak.
  2. n.
    the telephone. : She's on the horn now. What'll I tell her?
  3. tv.
    to sniff or snorta narcotic. (Drugs.) : Ernie horned a line and paused for a minute.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

lock  (2)
"tress of hair," from O.E. locc, from P.Gmc. *lukkoz (cf. O.N. lokkr, O.Fris., Du. lok, Ger. Locke "lock of hair"), from PIE *lugnos-, from base *lug- "to bend, to twist" (cf. Gk. lygos "pliant twig, withe," Lith. lugnas "flexible").

horn 
O.E. horn "horn of an animal," also "wind instrument" (originally made from animal horns), from P.Gmc. *khurnaz (cf. Ger. Horn, Du. horen, Goth. haurn), from PIE *ker- "uppermost part of the body, head, horn, top, summit" (cf. Gk. karnon, L. cornu, Skt. srngam "horn"). Reference to car horns is first recorded 1901. A hornpipe was originally a hornepype (c.1400), a musical instrument with bell and mouthpiece made of horn, later (c.1485) "dance associated with sailors" (originally performed to music from such an instrument). To horn in "intrude" is attested by 1880, originally cowboy slang, on the notion of buffalo behavior.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: horn
Pronunciation: 'ho(&)rn
Function: noun
1 a : one of the usually paired bony processes that arise from the head of many ungulatesand that are found in some extinct mammals and reptiles; especially : one of the permanent paired hollow sheaths of keratin usually present in both sexes of cattle and their relativesthat function chiefly for defense and arise from a bony core anchored to the skull b : the tough fibrous material consisting chiefly of keratin that covers or forms the horns of cattleand related animals, hooves, or other horny parts (as claws or nails)
2 : CORNU —horned /'ho(&)rnd/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

horn (hôrn)
n.

  1. One of the hard, usually permanent structures projecting from the head of certain mammals, such as cattle, consisting of a bony core covered with a sheath of keratinous material.

  2. A hard protuberance that is similar to or suggestive of a horn.

  3. The hard, smooth keratinous material forming the outer covering of animal horns.

  4. Any of the major subdivisions of the lateral ventricle in the cerebral hemisphere of the brain: the frontal horn, occipital horn, and temporal horn. Also called cornu.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
horn   (hôrn)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Either of the bony growths projecting from the upper part of the head of certain hoofed mammals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The horns of these animals are never shed, and they consist of bone covered by keratin.

  2. A hard growth that looks like a horn, such as an antler or a growth on the head of a giraffe or rhinoceros. Unlike true horns, antlers are shed yearly and have a velvety covering, and the horns of a rhinoceros are made not of bone but of hairy skin fused with keratin.

  3. The hard durable substance that forms the outer covering of true horns. It consists of keratin.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

lock horns

Become embroiled in conflict, as in At the town meeting Kate and Steve locked horns over increasing the property tax. This expression alludes to how stags and bulls use their horns to fight one another. [First half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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