[Colloq.]
Horror-sticken
(Hor"ror-stick`en) a. Struck with horror; horrified.
Blank and horror-stricken faces.
C. Kingsley. Horror-struck
(Hor"ror-struck`) a. Horror- stricken; horrified. M. Arnold.
Hors de combat
(||Hors` de com`bat") [F.] Out of the combat; disabled from fighting.
Horse
(Horse) n. [AS. hors; akin to OS. hros, D. & OHG. ros, G. ross, Icel. hross; and perh. to L.
currere to run, E. course, current Cf. Walrus.]
1. (Zoöl.) A hoofed quadruped of the genus Equus; especially, the domestic horse (E. caballus), which
was domesticated in Egypt and Asia at a very early period. It has six broad molars, on each side of
each jaw, with six incisors, and two canine teeth, both above and below. The mares usually have the
canine teeth rudimentary or wanting. The horse differs from the true asses, in having a long, flowing
mane, and the tail bushy to the base. Unlike the asses it has callosities, or chestnuts, on all its legs.
The horse excels in strength, speed, docility, courage, and nobleness of character, and is used for drawing,
carrying, bearing a rider, and like purposes.
Many varieties, differing in form, size, color, gait, speed, etc., are known, but all are believed to have
been derived from the same original species. It is supposed to have been a native of the plains of Central
Asia, but the wild species from which it was derived is not certainly known. The feral horses of America
are domestic horses that have run wild; and it is probably true that most of those of Asia have a similar
origin. Some of the true wild Asiatic horses do, however, approach the domestic horse in several characteristics.
Several
species of fossil (Equus) are known from the later Tertiary formations of Europe and America. The fossil
species of other genera of the family Equidæ are also often called horses, in general sense.
2. The male of the genus horse, in distinction from the female or male; usually, a castrated male.
3. Mounted soldiery; cavalry; — used without the plural termination; as, a regiment of horse; — distinguished
from foot.
The armies were appointed, consisting of twenty-five thousand horse and foot.
Bacon. 4. A frame with legs, used to support something; as, a clotheshorse, a sawhorse, etc.
5. A frame of timber, shaped like a horse, on which soldiers were made to ride for punishment.
6. Anything, actual or figurative, on which one rides as on a horse; a hobby.
