Hornbook

Pronunciation: /hɔːrn.bʊk/

Definitions of hornbook

noun a tablet covered with a sheet of horn for writing on

Example Sentences

A1 A hornbook is a simple instructional booklet used by children.

A2 In the past, students used hornbooks to learn their ABCs.

B1 The hornbook was a common tool for teaching basic reading and writing skills in early education.

B2 Hornbooks were typically made of wood with a sheet of paper containing the alphabet and other information.

C1 Historically, hornbooks played a significant role in literacy education before the widespread availability of books.

C2 Scholars have studied the design and content of hornbooks to understand early educational practices.

Examples of hornbook in a Sentence

formal The hornbook was a popular educational tool used in colonial America.

informal I found a hornbook in the attic that belonged to my great-grandfather.

slang Hey, check out this cool hornbook I scored at the antique shop!

figurative The old dictionary was like a hornbook for learning new vocabulary words.

Grammatical Forms of hornbook

• past tense: hornbooked
• plural: hornbooks
• comparative: more hornbook
• superlative: most hornbook
• present tense: hornbooks
• future tense: will hornbook
• perfect tense: have hornbooked
• continuous tense: is hornbooking
• singular: hornbook
• positive degree: hornbook
• infinitive: to hornbook
• gerund: hornbooking
• participle: hornbooked

Origin and Evolution of hornbook

First Known Use: 1450 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'hornbook' originated from the practice of attaching a piece of printed text to a small wooden board covered in a transparent sheet of horn to protect it.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'hornbook' evolved to refer to a primer or basic instructional guide, moving away from its original literal meaning of a wooden board covered in horn.