bugle
UK[ˈbjuːɡl̩]US[ˈbjuːɡl̩]
n
A brass musical instrument like a small trumpet, used especially in the army.
n
A plant with blue flowers shaped like small trumpets.
Etymology
The word 'bugle' has a fascinating journey from animal horn to musical instrument. It originates from the Latin 'buculus', meaning a young bull or bullock. This term is a diminutive of 'bos', meaning ox or cow. In medieval times, the term 'bugle' was applied to a type of wild ox, and its horn was used to make simple wind instruments for signaling. By the 14th century, the meaning transferred entirely to the instrument itself, first made from animal horn and later from metal, while retaining the name that hints at its original, organic material. The plant name 'bugle' derives from the same source, due to the trumpet-like shape of its flowers.
Analysis
The word 'bugle' is a simplex word. It is a loanword from Anglo-French, which derived from Latin 'buculus', a diminutive of 'bos' (ox, cow), referring to a young bull or bullock.
Examples
The clear sound of a bugle signaled the start of the dawn parade.
He learned to play Reveille on the bugle at summer camp.
The woodland floor was carpeted with the blue flowers of bugle.