unicorn

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A mythical horse, widely believed to exist until the 17th century, with a single, straight, spiraled horn projecting from its forehead.

   [Seb.] A liuing Drolerie: now I will beleeue / That there are Vnicornes:[…].

2. 2
   noun

   In various Bible translations, used to render the Latin unicornis or rhinoceros (representing Hebrew רְאֵם): a reem or wild ox.

   God brought him forth out of Egypt, he hath as it were the ſtrength of an Vnicorne: he ſhall eate vp the nations his enemies, and ſhall breake their bones, and pierce them thorow with his arrowes.

3. 3
   noun

   A howitzer.

   The Sixth Inniskilling Dragoons and the First Battalion Royal Scots will be in attendance, and there will be unicorns, carricks, pursuivants, heralds, mace-bearers, ushers, and pages, together with the Purse-bearer, and the Lyon King-of-Arms, and the national anthem, and the royal salute.

4. 4
   noun

   Being many (especially pastel) colours; multicoloured.

   Unicorn smoothies.

From Middle English unicorne, unikorn, from Anglo-Norman unicorne, Old French unicorne, and their source, Latin ūnicornis, from ūnus (“one”) + cornū (“horn”). Displaced native Old English ānhorn, itself a calque. Other senses from either rarity (e.g., possessing multiple skills) or by physical resemblance to having a horn (e.g., howitzer). The finance sense was coined by American investor Aileen Lee and first used in a 2013 article.

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