I. ˈyünəˌkȯrn noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English unicorne, from Old French, from Late Latin unicornis (translation of Greek monokeros ), from Latin, adjective, having one horn, from uni- + cornu horn — more at horn
1.
a.
(1) : a fabulous animal possibly based on faulty old descriptions of the rhinoceros and generally depicted (as in heraldry) with the body and head of a horse, the hind legs of a stag, the tail of a lion, and in the middle of the forehead a single long straight horn held to be a sovereign remedy against poisoning
(2) : a representation of a unicorn
b.
(1) obsolete : the one-horned rhinoceros
(2) or unicorn whale : narwhal
(3) : a normally bicorn mammal (as an ox) having the horn buds surgically altered to produce a single median horn
2. : a Scottish gold coin of the 15th and 16th centuries weighing 59 grains and having the figure of a unicorn on the obverse
3. or unicorn horn : material reputed to be the horn of the fabulous unicorn and formerly used for ornament, as an anitdote, or as a talisman
4. : a team of three horses harnessed with one as leader to a pair ; also : an equipage with such a team
5. obsolete : howitzer
6. : any of several plants (as a colicroot or blazing star) felt to resemble unicorn horn (as in form of root or reputed medical worth)
[s]unicorn.jpg[/s]
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin unicornis
: having a single horn or hornlike process
a unicorn uterus