Correct spelling for the English word "horned" is [hˈɔːnd], [hˈɔːnd], [h_ˈɔː_n_d] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
The adjective "horned" is commonly used to describe something that has, resembles, or is adorned with horns. Horns are bony protrusions, often curved and pointed, that grow from the heads of certain animals. They are composed of keratin, the same substance found in human nails and hair. Animals such as bulls, goats, sheep, deer, and antelope are typically associated with having horns.
When referring to an animal as "horned," it indicates that they naturally possess horns. These horns are usually present in both genders, although there may be slight differences in size and shape between males and females. In contrast, "antlered" is a term used to describe animals that possess bony structures called antlers, which are typically found on male deer, elk, and moose.
The term "horned" can also be used more metaphorically to describe objects, objects modified by humans, or even imaginary beings that feature horn-like structures. For instance, one might refer to a "horned helmet" as a type of headgear that has attached horns as an ornamental feature. Additionally, mythical creatures such as dragons, demons, and unicorns are often depicted as "horned" beings, contributing to their distinctive appearance and symbolism.
Overall, the term "horned" serves as a descriptive word for the presence or appearance of horns, either literally in the natural world or metaphorically in various cultural contexts.
Having horns; crescent-shaped.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "horned" can be traced back to the Old English word "hierne" or "hyrne", which meant "horned" or "having horns". This Old English word ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic root "hurnaz", which also meant "horned". The word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as the Old Norse "hǫrundinn" and the Old High German "hurned". The underlying Proto-Indo-European root for "horn" is believed to be "ker", which also gave rise to similar words in other Indo-European languages.