/ ˈhɔːnɪt; NAmE ˈhɔːrnɪt/ noun
a large wasp (= a black and yellow flying insect) that has a very powerful sting
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IDIOMS
- a hornet's nest
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English hyrnet , of Germanic origin; related to German Hornisse . The form of the word was probably influenced by Middle Dutch and Middle Low German hornte .