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# hornet

noun (a hornet, hornets)

«hornet» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A hornet is a large wasp with a powerful sting, often yellow and brown or black. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#m1)

### In the lessons

In science, hornets build paper nests and catch other insects. In safety lessons: keep away from nests and stay calm; people allergic to stings need help fast. «Stir up a hornet's nest» means cause a lot of trouble and anger.

### Examples

- A hornet buzzed around the picnic table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x1)
- Hornets build nests made of chewed wood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x2)
- Don't swat a hornet — walk away calmly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x3)
- His question stirred up a hornet's nest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x4)
- The hornet's sting really hurt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x5)
- Asian hornets attack honeybees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x6)
- But the willow-wren sent down the hornet, with orders to settle beneath the fox’s tail, and sting with all his might. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/#x7)

### Note

Countable. A hornet is a type of wasp, bigger than common wasps. «Hornet's nest» idiom = angry trouble.

## In Jewish tradition

The hornet is a stinging insect that God promises to send before Israel to drive out the nations of Canaan.

**Interpretation.** Some commentators take it literally as stinging insects, and others as a picture of fear and panic sent by God.

### Examples

- And I will send the hornet before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. (Torah EXO.23.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hornet/#x1)
- Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and they that hide themselves, perish from before thee. (Torah DEU.7.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hornet/#x2)
- And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. (Prophets JOS.24.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hornet/#x3)

### Note

Countable. A hornet is a type of wasp, bigger than common wasps. «Hornet's nest» idiom = angry trouble.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «hornet» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hornet/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hornet» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hornet.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «hornet» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hornet/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hornet» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/hornet.html) on Mova free.