horde
UK: hɔːd | US: hɔːrd
n. a large, often unruly crowd or group
n. (historical) a nomadic tribe or clan, especially of Mongols or Turks
n. (derogatory) a mass of people perceived as crude or invasive
horde = hord<hoard, treasure> + e (silent)
- hord (from German Horde or Polish horda, originally from Turkic ordu <camp, army>)
- e (silent letter, no semantic function)
Etymology Origin:
The word "horde" traces back to Turkic ordu (meaning "camp" or "army"), which entered European languages via Polish (horda) and German (Horde). It originally referred to nomadic groups like the Mongol or Turkic tribes, whose mobile camps appeared as vast, chaotic assemblies. Over time, the term broadened to describe any large, disorderly crowd, often with negative connotations of invasion or lack of refinement. The silent "e" reflects spelling adaptations in French and English.
A horde of tourists descended on the small village every summer.
Genghis Khan led a Mongol horde across Eurasia in the 13th century.
Protesters formed a horde outside the government building.
The store was overrun by a horde of shoppers during the sale.
Ants moved in a horde toward the spilled sugar.