释义 |
Definition of water horse in English: water horsenoun ˈwɔːtə ˌhɔːs 1The hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius. Now rare. 2Newfoundland. A pile or stack of split and salted whole cod, rinsed and arranged in layers to drain before drying. Also occasionally as mass noun. Sometimes attributive, especially as "waterhorse fish". 3Mythology. In Scotland and northern England: a spirit, usually taking the form of a horse, said to haunt lakes and other bodies of water.
Origin Late Middle English; earliest use found in John Trevisa (c1342–?1402), translator. From water + horse. Definition of water horse in US English: water horsenounˈwɔːtə ˌhɔːs 1The hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius. Now rare. 2Newfoundland. A pile or stack of split and salted whole cod, rinsed and arranged in layers to drain before drying. Also occasionally as mass noun. Sometimes attributive, especially as "waterhorse fish". 3Mythology. In Scotland and northern England: a spirit, usually taking the form of a horse, said to haunt lakes and other bodies of water.
Origin Late Middle English; earliest use found in John Trevisa (c1342–?1402), translator. From water + horse. |