Hoss

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An informal or regional word for a horse, especially a sturdy or working animal
2. A colloquial term for a horse, often used in rural or old-fashioned speech
3. Slang or dialect name for a horse, typically a strong animal used for riding or labor

Etymology: "Hoss" is a dialect pronunciation of "horse," the same word with the initial h kept but the vowel and final consonant worn down in speech. It belongs to a wider family of forms in English dialects where the h is dropped or softened, so the everyday word "horse" becomes "'oss" in some regions, and "hoss" preserves the aspirate while shortening the vowel to the sound heard in "hot" or "boss." The pattern is ordinary in spoken English rather than a special invention, and it is why the word now reads as folksy or rural. Because it is a pronunciation spelling rather than a separate word, its meaning is simply that of "horse," with the informal flavour that comes from being written the way people speak it. Writers have used it in dialogue to suggest a rustic or working-class speaker, and it carries that association still.

Synonyms: horse, steed, nag, mount