d. 1796. Burns, Merry Muses, ‘Cuddy the Cooper,’ p. 84. On ilka brow she’s planted a horn, An’ swears that there they shall stan’, O.
1813. Moore, Poems, ‘Re-inforcements for the Duke,’ iii., 209. Old H——df——t at horn-works again might be tried.
1816. Quiz, Grand Master, canto vii., p. 199, line 10. (She) smil’d, declaring that she scorn’d him, (She might have added that she’d horn’d him).
1822. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, c. xxxvi. O what a generous creature is your true London husband! Horns hath he, but, tame as a fatted ox, he goreth not.
1825. Scott, The Betrothed, ch. xvii. I ever tell thee, husband, the horns would be worth the hide in a fair market.
To draw in one’s horns, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To withdraw or to retract; to cool down.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Horns.
To horn off, verb. phr. (American). = To put on one side; to shunt. [As a bull or stag with his horns.]
1851. Hooper, Widow Rugby’s Husband, etc., p. 69. You horned me off to get a chance to get gaming witnesses out of the way.
In a horn, adv. phr. (American).—A general qualification, implying refusal or disbelief; over the left (q.v.).