Pronunciation: [hˈɔːnbʊk] (IPA) 
The word Hornbook is spelled as /ˈhɔːnbʊk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The 'h' is pronounced as /h/ sound while the 'o' is pronounced as /ɔː/ sound. The 'r' is silent making the sound /hɔːnbʊk/. It is a book used in the past to teach children how to read and write, dating back to the 15th century. The book was made of wood and had a piece of paper with the alphabet and other simple lessons attached to it.
A hornbook is a traditional educational tool used to teach children basic literacy skills, especially in the early modern era. It typically consists of a wooden paddle or board, often made from horn or leather, with a protective metal frame or covering. The hornbook is usually rectangular in shape and has a handle for ease of use, making it akin to a handheld tablet.
The front face of the hornbook is adorned with a sheet of parchment or vellum, on which fundamental information such as the alphabet, vowels, syllables, or numbers is inscribed. The text is usually protected by a transparent sheet of animal horn or horn-shaped material which gives the tool its name. This horn overlay prevents the text from smudging or erasing due to frequent usage.
Hornbooks were widely used as a beginner's primer during the 15th to 18th centuries, when literacy rates were increasing across Europe and the American colonies. Children learning to read would hold the hornbook by its handle and use their other hand to trace the letters or syllables with their fingers.
Although hornbooks have largely fallen out of use in modern education, they played a crucial role in introducing children to the world of reading and writing in the past. They served as a compact and portable educational tool, enabling young learners to memorize the basics of literacy and eventually progress to more advanced texts.
A single-leaved primer for children, originally faced with a plate of horn to keep it unsoiled.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "hornbook" is derived from the Old English term "hornbōc", which literally means "horn book". It is a compound word consisting of "horn" and "book". In this context, "horn" refers to a small, thin plate made from horn material that was used to cover and protect the pages of early educational materials.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, hornbooks were widely used as instructional tools for teaching children how to read, write, and learn basic knowledge. They typically consisted of a piece of parchment or paper with simple text, such as the alphabet, Lord's Prayer, and basic prayers. The sheet was then covered with a transparent piece of horn to protect it from wear and tear.
Over time, the term "hornbook" evolved to refer not only to the protective cover but also to the entire educational material itself.
