Hor"net (?), n. [AS. hyrnet;
akin to OHG. hornaz, hornuz, G. horniss; perh.
akin to E. horn, and named from the sound it makes as if
blowing the horn; but more prob. akin to D. horzel, Lith.
szirszone, L. crabo.] (Zoöl.) A large,
strong wasp. The European species (Vespa crabro) is of a dark
brown and yellow color. It is very pugnacious, and its sting is very
severe. Its nest is constructed of a paperlike material, and the
layers of comb are hung together by columns. The American white-faced
hornet (V. maculata) is larger and has similar
habits.
Hornet fly (Zoöl.), any
dipterous insect of the genus Asilus, and allied genera, of
which there are numerous species. They are large and fierce flies
which capture bees and other insects, often larger than themselves,
and suck their blood. Called also hawk fly, robber
fly. -- To stir up a hornet's nest, to
provoke the attack of a swarm of spiteful enemies or spirited
critics. [Colloq.]