Illustration of bugle
bugle
1 of 4noun (1)
bu·gle ˈbyü-gəl 
: any of a genus (Ajuga) of plants of the mint family
especially : a European annual (A. reptans) that has spikes of blue flowers and is naturalized in the U.S.
bugle
2 of 4noun (2)
: a valveless brass instrument that resembles a trumpet and is used especially for military calls
bugle
3 of 4verb
bugled; bugling ˈbyü-g(ə-)liŋ
intransitive verb
1
: to sound a bugle
2
: to utter the characteristic rutting call of the bull elk
bugle
4 of 4noun (3)
: a small cylindrical bead of glass or plastic used for trimming especially on women's clothing
Did you know?
What is the origin of bugle?
In early English, the word bugle meant “wild ox.” The horns of oxen were made into signaling devices for soldiers and hunters, first called bugle horns. Later this was shortened to bugle.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bugula
Noun (2)
Middle English, buffalo, instrument made of buffalo horn, bugle, from Anglo-French, from Latin buculus, diminutive of bos head of cattle — more at cow
Noun (3)
perhaps from bugle entry 2
First Known Use
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (3)
1573, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
bugle
noun
bu·gle ˈbyü-gəl
: an instrument like a simple trumpet used chiefly for giving military signals