What is "hornet"

Hornet \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.] (Zo["o]l.) 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 ( Vespa maculata) is larger and has similar habits.

Hornet fly (Zo["o]l.), 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.]

Old English hyrnet, hurnitu "large wasp, beetle," probably from Proto-Germanic *hurz-nut- (cognates: Old Saxon hornut, Middle Dutch huersel, Dutch horzel, Old High German hornaz, German Hornisse "hornet"), from PIE imitative (buzzing) root *krs-, as preserved in Old Church Slavonic srusa, Lithuanian szirszu "wasp." On this theory, the English word (as well as German Hornisse) was altered by influence of horn, to suggest either "horner" (from the sting) or "horn-blower" (from the buzz). Compare also Old Saxon hornobero "hornet," literally "trumpeter."

n. A large wasp, of the genus ''Vespa'', having a brown-and-yellow-striped body and the ability to inflict a serious sting.

n. large stinging paper wasp

Hornets (insects in the genera Vespa and Provespa) are the largest of the eusocial wasps, and are similar in appearance to their close relatives yellow jackets. Some species can reach up to in length. They are distinguished from other vespine wasps by the relatively large top margin of the head and by the rounded segment of the abdomen just behind the waist. Worldwide, there are 22 recognized species of Vespa, and three species of Provespa, which are unique amongst hornets in being nocturnal. Most species only occur in the tropics of Asia, though the European hornet (Vespa crabro), is widely distributed throughout Europe, Russia, North America and Northeast Asia. Wasps native to North America in the genus Dolichovespula are commonly referred to as hornets (e.g. baldfaced hornets), but are actually yellowjackets.

Like other social wasps, hornets build communal nests by chewing wood to make a papery pulp. Each nest has one queen, who lays eggs and is attended by workers who, while genetically female, cannot lay fertile eggs. Most species make exposed nests in trees and shrubs, but some (like Vespa orientalis) build their nests underground or in other cavities. In the tropics, these nests may last year-round, but in temperate areas, the nest dies over the winter, with lone queens hibernating in leaf litter or other insulative material until the spring.

Hornets are often considered pests, as they aggressively guard their nesting sites when threatened. This is particularly true for hornets nesting close to human habitation, as their stings are more dangerous than those of bees.

A hornet is an insect. It may also mean:

The Hornet is an identity used by three fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters appear in the Marvel Universe, one villain, and two heroes. Both the first and third Hornets have suffered from physical disabilities.

The Hornet dinghy is a 16 foot high performance dinghy designed by Jack Holt in 1952.

It is sailed by two people, with either a sliding seat ('plank') or a single trapeze, or where neither plank nor trapeze is fitted, by three people. The Hornet is a restricted class meaning that its external hull measurements, sailing weight, sail measurements, and mast dimensions and weights are controlled, but the hull's interior layout, centreboard and rudder have few restrictions. Permitted materials are restricted in order to control costs.

Hornet is a twister roller coaster located at Wonderland Park in Amarillo, Texas. It was previously enclosed and located at Six Flags AstroWorld.

The Hornet was a British boys' comic published by D. C. Thomson & Co. for 648 issues from 14 September 1963 to 7 February 1976, after which it was merged with The Hotspur. The free gift with the first issue was a balsa wood "Kestral Glider".

For the version of the Austin Mini, click here: Wolseley Hornet.

The Hornet is a Lotus Seven copy built by T&J Sportscars. The Hornet was created by T&J Sportscars and was designed to take the majority of components from the Ford Cortina mk 3, 4 or 5. This means there is a choice of 1300/ 1600 OHV Kent or OHC 1600/2000 OHC Pinto Ford engines. All the running gear is taken from the Cortina, although T&J manufactured front wishbones were an option to replace the Cortina pressed steel items. The only items that need to be modified are the propshaft, which needs to be shortened, and the alternator that needs to be repositioned.

The body tub uses the same concept as the earlier Locust, and is built from ¾" plywood, using plans supplied by the manufacturer (drawn by a previous employee of JC Autopatterns/Sportscars). The wooden tub is then skinned with thin gauge aluminium sheet. The tub is fitted to a ladder chassis supplied by the manufacturer. Unlike the Locust where most other Seven style body components will fit the size of the Hornet meant that the builder is limited to items provided by the manufacturer.

Image:Dcp 0376.jpg|BWE Hornet Demonstrator at Harrogate Kit Car Show Image:Hornet Stoneleigh.jpg|Hornet at Stoneleigh Kit Car Show Image:Locusts and Hornets.jpg|Locusts and Hornets size difference can clearly be seen.

' Specification'

• Donor vehicle – Cortina MK3,4,5
• Chassis – Twin rail ladder in RHS with suspension points body outriggers and roll bar plinths.
• Front Suspension – Cortina wishbones with optional tubular wishbones allowing full castor/camber adjustment.
• Rear Suspension - Cortina four link suspension using donor springs and shock absorbers.
• Engine – Normally Cortina but most RWD engine and gearbox combinations including Rover V8 can be accommodated.
• Build time – Estimated 360 hours.

The Hornet is now manufactured by BWE Sportscars and like the Locust can be built using Ford Sierra components.