unicornn.
/ˈjuːnᵻkɔːn/, U.S. /ˈjunəˌkɔrn/ I. The mythological animal, and related uses.
1. † d. Horn reputed to be that of the unicorn prepared as an embellishment or ornament. Obsolete.
a. A fabulous and legendary animal usually regarded as having the body of a horse with a single horn projecting from its forehead (cf. sense 3 note); the monoceros of the ancients.The unicorn has at various times been identified or confused with the rhinoceros, with various species of antelope, or with other animals having a horn (or horns) or horn-like projection from the head. According to Pliny ( Nat. Hist. viii. xxi. §31) it had a body resembling that of a horse, the head of a deer, the feet of an elephant, and the tail of a lion, with one black horn projecting ‘two cubits’ from the middle of the forehead.The horn of this animal was reputed to possess medicinal or magical properties, esp. as an antidote to or preventive of poison: see unicorn's horn n.
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the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > mythical creature or object > [noun] > unicorn
one-hornedlOE
unicorn?c1225
monocerosc1400
Indian ass1594
licorn1842
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > order Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) > [noun] > with hoof in more than two parts > family Rhinocerotidae > rhinoceros > one-horned rhinoceros
unicorn?c1225
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 97 Mon is wulf oðer liun. oðer unicorne.
c1315 Shoreham Poems v. 113 Of hyre barme hyt was god game, Þer-inne þe vnicorn weks tame Þat er þan was so wylde.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 159 Þere beeþ also..vnycornes [L. rhinoceros], camels, pardes [etc.].
a1400 K. Alis. (Bodl.) 6710 Ȝitt þou shalt habbe sex hundreþ Rinoceros..And two hundreþ vnicornes.
1423 Kingis Quair clv The lufare vnicorne, That voidis venym with his euoure horne.
?c1510 tr. Newe Landes & People founde by Kynge of Portyngale sig. Divv These vnicornes slee many Lyons. and the Lyon sleeth the vnicorne with subtylnes.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. v. sig. Q5v Like as a Lyon, whose imperiall powre A prowd rebellious Vnicorne defyes.
1609 T. Dekker Guls Horne-bk. sig. C2v The Unicorne, whose horne is worth halfe a City.
1657 J. Trapp Comm. Job xxxix. 9 This is the..Unicorn... A very fierce and strong creature it is; and now adayes very rare, but anciently more common.
1735 S. Johnson tr. J. Lobo Voy. Abyssinia 51 In the Province of Agaus, has been seen the Unicorn, that Beast so much talk'd of, and so little known.
1801 Monthly Rev. 35 351 On the probability of the existence of an Unicorn.
1843 T. De Quincey Ceylon in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 624/2 The whole traditionary character of the unicorn as an antagonist..of the lion.
1895 J. G. Millais Breath from Veldt vi. 133 Any one who has seen a wild sable antelope galloping cannot fail to be struck by its resemblance to the unicorn.
b. Used in Middle English versions of the Old Testament to render the Vulgate ūnicornis or rhīnocerōs (Greek μονόκερως) as translations of Hebrew re'em (also rēym), and retained in various later versions (but translated by ‘wild-ox’ in the Revised Bible). See reem n.
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the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > order Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) > [noun] > with hoof in more than two parts > family Rhinocerotidae > rhinoceros
unicorna1300
rhinocerosa1398
rhinocerota1398
rhinocerite1553
abada1588
horn-nose1598
snout-horn1625
horned-snout1661
rhino1870
rhinocerotine1910
a1300 E.E. Psalter xxi. 22 (xxii. 21) Sauf me fra mouth of lioun es, And fra hornes of vnicornes mi mekenes. [Also versions a 1340–1611.]
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Num. xxiii. 22 Whos strengthe is lijk to an vnycorn. [Also versions 1388–1611.]
c1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxii. xiii Show to heare me, By aiding, when fierce Vnicornes come neere me.
c1639 W. Mure Psalmes xxii, in Wks. (1898) II. 89 From the hornes of vnicornes Thine eare (Lord) found I have.
1696 N. Tate & N. Brady New Version Psalms of David xxix. 6 They..leap, like Hinds that bounding go, Or Unicorns in youthful play.
c. In figurative or allusive use.In quot. 1607 = ‘a cuckold’.
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society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > fornication, adultery, or incest > [noun] > adultery > husband of adulterous wife
cuckolda1250
cornutoc1430
unicorn1509
hoddypolla1529
summer bird1541
Actaeon1567
knight of the forked order1586
Vulcanian1598
hoddy-doddy1601
becco1604
ram-head1605
cornute1608
horn-stock1611
skimmington1623
horn-heada1640
tup1652
half-moon1659
cuck1706
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. ccxvii [Let] Jamys of Scotlonde..haue the forwarde, haue ye no disdayne Nor indignacion, for neuer kynge was borne That of ought of warre can shewe the vnycorne.
1592 G. Harvey Foure Lett. 52 The only Vnicorne of the Muses.
1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster North-ward Hoe iv. sig. Fv Fetherstone..it seemes makes her husband a vnicorne.
1826 J. Galt Last of Lairds vi. 53 Bridle the unicorn o' your impatience.
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society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > bone or horn > [noun] > horn > types of
unicorna1533
devil's horn1583
ram's horn1611
greenhorn1725
buffalo-horn1783
stag-horn1815
buck-horn1820
deer-horn1843
devil horn1854
antler1872
rhino horn1889
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1539) Y ij b It was of wood Libanus, and round about garnished with unicorne.
a1596 G. Peele Loue King Dauid & Fair Bethsabe (1599) sig. Hij Shee that in chaines of pearle and vnicorne, Leads at her traine the ancient golden world.
2. Scottish. The specific designation of one of the pursuivants of the court of the Lyon King of Arms. See pursuivant n. 1.
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society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > heraldry > herald > [noun] > officer ranking below herald > Scottish pursuivants
unicorn1445
1445 in J. Stuart & G. Burnett Exchequer Rolls Scotl. (1882) V. 204 Quia Unicorn signifer regis illam terram habuit ex concessione regis.
1473–4 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 52 Item gevin to Vnicorne herald,..to his expensis, x li.
1546 in Accts. Ld. High Treasurer Scotl. (1911) IX. 33 To Petir Thomson, alias Unicorne pursevant.
1636 Reg. Privy Council Scott. 2nd Ser. VI. 605 The deceased George Wast, Unicorn pursuivant.
1662 Reg. Privy Council Scott. 3rd Ser. I. 259 Leyes..was charged by William Malcolm, Unicorn pursuivant, to compear this day.
a1725 A. Nisbet Syst. Heraldry (1742) II. iv. xvi. 171 As for Pursevants, they are also for most Part locally denominate, Unicorn only excepted.
1863 G. Seton Law Heraldry in Scotl. 38 As in the case of the Heralds, the Pursuivants are also six in number, and bear the names of Kintyre, Dingwall, Carrick, Bute, Ormond, and Unicorn.
3. A figure, picture, or representation of this animal, esp. in Heraldry either as a charge or more usually as a supporter of the Royal Arms of Great Britain (or Scotland).Usually depicted heraldically as having the head, neck, and body of a horse, the legs of a deer and the tail of a lion, with a straight and spirally twisted horn growing out of the forehead.
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society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > heraldic representations of creatures > [noun] > animals
boar1297
leopardc1330
lionc1330
lionceauc1450
unicornc1450
talbot1491
porcupine?a1549
musion1572
tiger1572
lyam-hound1591
coney1598
lioncel1610
lion-leopard1612
lionel1661
marcassin1727
c1450 (c1400) Emaré (1908) 164 The fayr mayden her by-forn Was portrayed an vnykorn, Wyth hys horn so hye.
1488 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 85 A couering..browdin with thrissillis and a vnicorne.
1549 in J. Gage Hist. & Antiq. Hengrave, Suffolk (1822) 127 iij cuppes with a cover chased, with unicorns on the top.
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie vi. vii. 286 Supported by a Lion..and an Vnicorne Luna, gorged with a Crowne.
1766 in Seton Law Her. Scotland (1863) 442 His Majesty's royal coat-of-arms supported on the right side by a unicorn with an imperial crown over the head.
1789 H. L. Piozzi Observ. Journey France II. 221 The family crest, a unicorn, made in white marble.
1813 Gentleman's Mag 83 37/2 With supporters (lion and unicorn) of the Royal arms.
1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 55 Here is an escutcheon bearing two unicorns and a lion rampant and the crown.
4. † b. Used attributively as the designation of a weight, equivalent to about one-eighth of an ounce troy.
a. A Scottish gold coin current in the 15th and 16th centuries at the value of 18 shillings Scots; so called from the figure of the unicorn stamped upon its obverse. Also half unicorn. Now Historical.
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society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Scottish coins > [noun] > gold coins
rider1367
rial1420
demy1440
lew1467
unicorn1487
liona1572
lion noble1586
thistle noble1590
hat piece1598
bonnet piece1684
thistle-crown1726
lozenge lion1890
1487 Exchequer Rolls Scot. IX. 549 In denariis aureis vocatis unicornys.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 260 Vpon the heid of it is hecht Bayth vnicornis and crownis of wecht.
1538 Aberd. Reg. XVI. (Jam.) Ane vnicorn gud & sufficient gold.
1845 Lindsay Coinage Scot. 137 The Unicorns generally weigh about fifty-eight grains,..the half Unicorns in proportion.
1887 E. Burns Coinage Scotl. II. 151 The coinages of unicorns that took place under James V.
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the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > [noun] > unit or denomination of weight > specific troy units
troy ounce1390
troy pound1390
unicorn1506
mast1545
carat1552
1506 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 434 Ane corss of gold, weyand half ane unce, and half ane unicorn weicht.
1560 St. Giles Charters (1859) p. xlvii Foure vnce, ane half, and ane vnicorne weicht of gold.
5. Astronomy. (With capital initial.) A southern constellation lying between Canis Minor and Canis Major.This constellation was noted by Hevelius in his Prodromus Astron. (1690) pp. 118, 294, under the name of Monoceros.
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the world > the universe > constellation > Southern constellations > [noun] > Monoceros
unicorn?1768
monoceros1769
Mon1922
?1768–9 Encycl. Brit. (1771) I. 487/2 Hevelius's Constellations made out of the unformed Stars [include]..Monocerus, The Unicorn.
1868 W. Lockyer & J. N. Lockyer tr. A. Guillemin Heavens (ed. 3) 382 The northern half of the Milky Way extends..to the Unicorn at the altitude of and near the belt of Orion.
6. in extended use.1860 R. F. Burton Lake Regions Central Afr. II. xiii. 38 We crossed as usual on a ‘unicorn’ of negroids, the upper part of the body supported by two men, and the feet resting upon the shoulders of a third.1887 Cyclists' Touring Club Gaz. May 215/1 The unicorn..is made up of a[n]..ordinary bicycle front-wheel coupled to a..sociable.
a. A carriage, coach, etc., drawn by three horses, two abreast and one leader; hence usually, a team of three horses so arranged. (Cf. Compounds 2b.)
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > [noun] > drawn by specific number or arrangement
tandem1785
unicorn1785
four-in-hand1793
randem1801
two-at-length1823
troika1842
random-tandem1847
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > draught-horse > team of > team of three
unicorn team1856
unicorn1866
pickaxe team1875
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Unicorn, a coach drawn by three horses.
1801 M. Edgeworth Belinda II. xvi. 149 She drove in her unicorn to Oakly-park.
1866 Freeman in Life & Lett. (1895) I. 342 I would put on the children's pony..in front of my two, so as to make an unicorn.
1889 Evening News 28 Aug. 3/2 Their demands of 24s. for a single horse, 28s. for a pair, and 30s. for a ‘unicorn’.
b. quasi-adv.
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society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > driving or operating a vehicle > [adverb] > driving type of team of horses
random-tandem1809
four-in-hand1810
randem1818
unicorn1859
1859 Habits Good Society v. 200 You will seldom be called upon to drive tandem, unicorn, or four in hand.
1863 M. E. Braddon Aurora Floyd I. v. 110 There were more lofty accomplishments than driving unicorn or shooting..game.
II. A creature regarded as resembling a unicorn in some way.† 7. The one-horned rhinoceros. Obsolete.
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1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) xiv. ix [In] þat londe [sc. Ethiopia] beþ..þe rynocerota þat is þe vnicorne, a beste wiþ oon horne.
1684 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 389 I went to see the Rhinocerous (or Unicorne) being the first that I suppose was ever brought into England.
8. As the name of a fish, shell, etc., having a projecting horn or horn-like process, or regarded as resembling the fabulous unicorn in some other respect. Cf. monoceros n. 2, 4A few examples other than those illustrated here are recorded in American dictionaries from 1891 onwards.† a. (See quot. 1668) Obsolete.
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the world > animals > fish > subclass Elasmobranchii > order Hypotremata > [noun] > member of family Pristiophoridae (sawfish)
monoceros1590
sawfish1664
unicorn1668
serra1854
saw-shark1882
saw1888
1668 W. Charleton Onomasticon Zoicon 123 Monoceros Clusii, the little Vnicorn, or Sawfish.
b. The narwhal or sea-unicorn.Named also unicorn-fish, -whale, and abbreviated unie n.
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the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Monodontidae > genus Monodon (narwhal)
monoceros1590
sea-unicorn1646
narwhal1650
unicorn whale1668
seahorse1674
unicorn-fish1688
unicorn1694
monodon1752
unicorn narwhal1813
unie1874
sea-monoceros-
1694 tr. F. Martens Voy. Spitzbergen 126 in Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. The Unicorn is but seldom seen in these parts.
1745 tr. H. Egede Descr. Greenland 76 Among the different Kinds of Whales, some reckon the Unicorn, as they commonly call him,..but his right Name is Nar-Whale.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 39 Here we saw a considerable number of ‘unicorns’ (narwals).
c. A unicorn-shell. (See Compounds 2.)
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the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Gastropoda > [noun] > superorder Branchifera > order Prosobranchiata > section Siphonostomata > family Buccinidae > member of genus Monoceros
unicorn1711
unicorn-shell1711
1711 J. Petiver Gazophylacii VI. Table LIII Grass girdled Indian Unicorn, Cat. 263. A beautiful Shell and rarely met with.
9. Zoology. A species having one horn.
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1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 312 There appear to be three existing species of rhinoceroses:—1. That of India: a unicorn;..—2. That of the Cape: a bicorn.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations, as unicorn bone (i.e. horn), unicorn horse, unicorn-ivory; unicorn-crested, unicorn-like adjs.
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1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 34 Ther is summe countre that alittill yuory or vnycorne bone, Is bought for a grete somme of gold.
1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 306/1 The..Onager, figured..with a unicorn-like horn in the midst of its forehead.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 3 Strabo..refers to Unicorn horses with the heads of deer.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour x. liii. 301 The unicorn-crested gates, between tea-caddy looking lodges.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xiv. 141 The natives carried no arms but the long knife and their unicorn-ivory lances.
C2.
a. Chiefly in the names of animals, birds, fishes, plants, etc., which are characterized by a long projecting horn-like process or spine regarded as resembling the horn of the unicorn.† unicorn guard n. Fencing Obsolete a guard in which the sword is advanced well to the front of the fencer.
unicorn acanthurus n. (see quot. and unicorn-fish n. c).
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the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > [noun] > suborder Acanthuroidei > member of family Acanthuridae (surgeon-fish)
tang1735
doctor1775
unicorn acanthurus1803
lancet-fish1840
surgeon1855
surgeonfish1871
shoemaker1891
medico1902
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. 374 Unicorn Acanthurus. Acanthurus Unicornis... From the front proceeds a strong, conical, horn-shaped process.
unicorn auk n. (see quot.).
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the world > animals > birds > order Charadriiformes > family Alcidae (auks) > [noun] > cerorhinca monocerata (rhinoceros auklet)
rhinoceros auk1884
unicorn auk1884
rhinoceros auklet1886
1884 E. Coues Key to N. Amer. Birds (ed. 2) 805 Ceratorhina monocerata. Unicorn Auk. Horn-bill Auk.
unicorn-bird n. the horned screamer, Palamedea cornuta.
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the world > animals > birds > freshwater birds > order Anseriformes (geese, etc.) > [noun] > member of family Anhimidae (screamer)
unicorn-bird1681
anhima1773
screamer1773
horned screamer1785
kamichi1834
1681 N. Grew Musæum Regalis Societatis i. §iv. ii. 65 The Unicorne Bird [is]..Horned on his Forehead (with some likeness) as the Unicorne is pictur'd.
1863 H. W. Bates Naturalist on River Amazons I. vii. 277 The Curicáca..was soon joined by a unicorn bird..whose harsh screams [etc.].
unicorn file-fish n. (see quot.).
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the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Tetraodontiformes (puffers) > [noun] > family Balistidae (trigger-fish) > Balistes (file-fish)
goatfish1613
prickle1681
leather-jacket1770
unicorn file-fish1804
file-fish1815
monacanthid1977
1804 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. V. ii. 399 Unicorn File-fish. Balistes Monoceros... Immediately over the head..is a very strong..spine of considerable length.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > positions
in-stop14..
out-stopa1500
warda1586
guard1601
preem1603
unicorn guard1617
quarte1639
tierce1687
tierce guard1687
tierce parade1687
inside1692
carte1707
hanging guard1707
quinte1707
seconde1707
saccoon1708
prime1710
segoon1721
octave1771
supination1805
septime1861
sixte1885
sixth1885
corps à corps1910
1617 J. Swetnam Schoole Sci. Defence 126 An other very sure and dangerous guard at the Backe~sword, called the Vnicorne guard, or the fore-hand guard.
1711 Z. Wylde Eng. Master of Defence 23 The Medium Unicorn or Center Guard, is made thus.
unicorn hawk n. (also unicorn hawk-moth) (see quots.).
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the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Sphingidae > sphinx convolvuli (convolvulus moth)
unicorn hawk1832
convolvulus moth1854
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 24 The Unicorn Hawk (Sphinx Convolvuli, Linnæus) appears in September.
1834 T. Brown Bk. Butterflies, Sphinxes & Moths I. 96 Two fine males of the Sphinx Convolvuli (Unicorn Hawk-moth).
unicorn hornbill n. (see quots.).
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the world > animals > birds > perching birds > order Coraciiformes (kingfisher, etc.) > [noun] > family Bucerotidae (hornbill) > buceros rhinoceros
rhinocerot1613
rhinoceros1614
rhinocerot bird1678
rhinoceros birda1684
rhinoceros hornbill1781
unicorn hornbill1811
rhino bird1905
1811 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. VIII. 11 Unicorn Hornbill. [Buceros Monoceros.].. The casque is prolonged in front into a kind of horn.
unicorn-moth n. the North American moth, Cœlodasys unicornis.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > unspecified and miscellaneous types > miscellaneous types
high-flyer?1749
nonpareil1749
porphyry1819
satin carpet1819
satin pygmy1828
scopolian1829
chalk carpet1832
sieve lackey1832
sprawler1832
tissue1832
treble bar1832
treble gold stripe1832
vesper-beauty1832
viburnian1832
yellowhead1832
flame carpet1862
sting-moth1863
lilac moth1868
luna-moth1869
melon-caterpillar1884
wood-nymph1885
unicorn-moth1891
geometer moth1897
the suspected1908
porina1929
tomato pinworm1931
mopane worm1966
1891 Cent. Dict. (at cited word) Larva of Unicorn-moth.
unicorn narwhal n. = sense 8b.
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the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Monodontidae > genus Monodon (narwhal)
monoceros1590
sea-unicorn1646
narwhal1650
unicorn whale1668
seahorse1674
unicorn-fish1688
unicorn1694
monodon1752
unicorn narwhal1813
unie1874
sea-monoceros-
1813 W. Bingley Animal Biogr. (ed. 4) II. 1 The Unicorn Narwal, or Sea Unicorn.
unicorn-plant n. U.S. a name for various North American plants, esp. Martynia proboscidea, the capsule of which terminates in two horn-like spines.
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the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > non-British plants or herbs > [noun] > North American > other plants
bear grass1750
gardenia1756
sisyrinchium1767
heartsease1785
blazing star1789
nondo1791
unicorn-plant1796
screw-stem1802
American centaury1803
wild ginger?1804
pinweed1814
sabbatia1814
mountain mint1817
orange-root1817
richweed1818
goldenseal1828
pipeweed1837
snow plant1846
lopseed1850
devil's claw1876
turkey's beard1884
richweed1894
blue star grass1999
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 189 Unicorn [plant] (Aletris farinosa).
1845–50 A. H. Lincoln Familiar Lect. Bot. (new ed.) ii. 110/1 Helonias diœcia, scape leafy... Unicorn plant.
1847 W. Darlington Agric. Bot. 108 M. proboscidea..Long-beaked Martynia..Unicorn Plant.
1891 H. Herman His Angel 6 Woodbine, unicorn plant, and wild currant surged all about it.
unicorn-root n. U.S. (see quots.).
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the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > unicorn-root
unicorn-root1845
unicorn's horn1864
1845 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. 400 Helonias dioica, Ph. Veratrum luteum... Unicorn Root.
1847 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Unicorn-root, a popular name of two plants, viz. Chamælirium Carolinianum [= Helonias dioica], to which this name was first applied, and Aletris farinosa..; both used in medicine.
1891 Cent. Dict. Unicorn-root, the blazing star, Aletris farinosa.
unicorn-shell n. a marine gasteropod having a horn-like lip projecting from the shell, now esp. one belonging to the genus Monoceros.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Gastropoda > [noun] > superorder Branchifera > order Prosobranchiata > section Siphonostomata > family Buccinidae > member of genus Monoceros
unicorn1711
unicorn-shell1711
1711 J. Petiver Gazophylacii VI. Table LV A Unicorn Shell with Bugle Twirls.
?1711 J. Petiver Gazophylacii VII.–VIII. Table 75 Small Unicorn-shell, with rugged Twirls and Waves between.
1888 Cassell's Encycl. Dict. VII. at Monoceros Unicorn-shell; a genus of prosobranchiate gasteropods..peculiar to the west coast of America.
unicorn whale n. = sense 8b.
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the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Monodontidae > genus Monodon (narwhal)
monoceros1590
sea-unicorn1646
narwhal1650
unicorn whale1668
seahorse1674
unicorn-fish1688
unicorn1694
monodon1752
unicorn narwhal1813
unie1874
sea-monoceros-
1668 W. Charleton Onomasticon Zoicon 168 Balæna Monoceros, Vnicornu Marinum,..the Vnicorn Whale.
1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. p. xix The Monoceros or Unicorn Whale.
1858 W. Baird Cycl. Nat. Sci. 199/1 The..unicorn whale, Monodon Monoceros, has no teeth in the lower jaw.
b. Attributive in sense 6, as unicorn carman, unicorn fashion, unicorn omnibus (attributive), unicorn team.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > driving or operating a vehicle > driver or operator of vehicle > [noun] > driver of three horses in specific arrangement
unicorn carman1856
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > public service vehicle > [noun] > omnibus > type of horsedrawn
unicorn omnibus1856
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > draught-horse > team of > team of three
unicorn team1856
unicorn1866
pickaxe team1875
1856 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. (new ed.) II. (Gloss.) 726/3 A unicorn team is two abreast and one in front.
1877 ‘C. Bede’ Figaro at Hastings 47 Some [wagonettes] with four horses, some with three (unicorn fashion).
1884 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Old Melbourne Mem. i. 14 Frank Liardet is driving his unicorn omnibus team from the lonely beach.
1898 Westm. Gaz. 6 Sept. 1/3 A ‘unicorn carman’..means ‘one who drives three horses’.
ΚΠ
1603 T. Dekker 1603: Wonderfull Yeare sig. E4 The Vnicorne-cobler..being ouer head and eares in sleepe.
C4. As adj. Of a uterus: having only one cornu.
ΚΠ
1907 Practitioner Sept. 400 If an impregnated ovum lodges in the rudimentary horn of an unicorn uterus, the consequences are more serious.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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