Definition of "inkhorn" [ink•horn]

• A small container made of horn or a similar material, formerly used to hold ink for writing. (noun)
• Affectedly or ostentatiously learned; pedantic: inkhorn words. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The word "inkhorn" was used by the translators, because in former times in this country horns were used for containing ink."
• "Salvation is peculiarly assigned to Him, and so He bears the "inkhorn" in order to "mark" His elect (Eze 9: 4; compare Ex 12: 7; Re 7: 3; 9: 4; 13: 16, 17; 20: 4), and to write their names in His book of life (Re 13: 8)."
• "He rejected "inkhorn" terms, arguing that "... for devising of newe termes, and compounding of wordes, our tongue hath a speciall grace, wherein it excelleth many other, and is comparable with the best.""