/'hɔ:nɪt; `hɔrnɪt/
n
1 large type of wasp that can give a severe sting 大黄蜂; 马蜂.
2 (idm 习语) a `hornet's nest attacks, criticism or abuse from several people, or angry quarrelling （一些人的）攻击、批评或辱骂; 愤怒的争吵
*His letter to the newspaper about racialism in schools has stirred up a real hornet's nest. 他给报纸写的关于学校中存在种族歧视现象的信件引起了很大的麻烦.

n[C]
[Language: Old English;Origin: hyrnet]
a large black and yellow flying insect that can sting
→wasp
hornets' nest
a situation in which there is a lot of trouble and quarrelling
　The new production targets have stirred up a hornet's nest .