alicorn

noun

al·​i·​corn ˈa-lə-ˌkȯrn How to pronounce alicorn (audio)
plural alicorns
: the horn of a unicorn
Many alicorns circulated during this period, often passing as prestige gifts from one royal house to another.Chris Lavers, The Natural History of Unicorns, 2009

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian alicorno, alicorne "unicorn," probably from a dissimilated variant of unicorno, borrowed from Late Latin ūnicornis unicorn

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alicorn was in 1966

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Dictionary Entries Near alicorn

Cite this Entry

“Alicorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alicorn. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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