giant hornet

noun

See under hornet.

Words nearby giant hornet

giant crab, giant fennel, giant garlic, giant granadilla, giant hogweed, giant hornet, giant impact theory, giant kelp, giant killer, giant molecular cloud, giant otter

Definition for giant hornet (2 of 2)

hornet
[ hawr-nit ]
/ ˈhɔr nɪt /

noun

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.

Origin of hornet

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

British Dictionary definitions for giant hornet

hornet
/ (ˈhɔːnɪt) /

noun

any of various large social wasps of the family Vespidae, esp Vespa crabro of Europe, that can inflict a severe sting
hornet's nest a strongly unfavourable reaction (often in the phrase stir up a hornet's nest)

Word Origin for hornet

Old English hyrnetu; related to Old Saxon hornut, Old High German hornuz

Idioms and Phrases with giant hornet

hornet

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