A hornet is a large wasp. Hornets live in nests and have a powerful sting.
2.
See a hornet's nest
hornet in British English
(ˈhɔːnɪt)
noun
1.
any of various large social wasps of the family Vespidae, esp Vespa crabro of Europe, that can inflict a severe sting
2. hornet's nest
Word origin
Old English hyrnetu; related to Old Saxon hornut, Old High German hornuz
hornet in American English
(ˈhɔrnɪt)
noun
any of several large social wasps (family Vespidae), strikingly colored yellow and black
Word origin
ME harnette < OE hyrnet, akin to Ger hornisse < IE base *er- (see horn) > L crabro, hornet
hornet in American English
(ˈhɔrnɪt)
noun
any large, stinging paper wasp of the family Vespidae, as Vespa crabro (giant hornet), introduced into the U.S. from Europe, or Vespula maculata (bald-faced hornet or white-faced hornet), of North America
Word origin
[bef. 900; ME harnete, OE hyrnet(u); c. OHG hornaz (˃ G Horniss); akin to horn]
any moth of the family Sesiidae (or Aegeriidae ), characterized by the absence of scales from the greater part of the wings. They are day-flying and some, such as the hornet clearwing ( Sesia apiformis ), resemble wasps and other hymenopterans
hornet's nest
a strongly unfavourable reaction (often in the phrase stir up a hornet's nest )
mad as a hornet
extremely angry
stir up a hornet's nest
to do something which causes a lot of controversy or produces a situation which is extremely difficult to deal with
a hornet's nest a hornets' nest
If you say that someone has stirred up a hornet's nest , you mean that they have done something which has caused a lot of argument or trouble .
a hornet's nest/a hornets' nest
A hornet is a large wasp . Hornets live in nests and have a powerful sting .