hough: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / Archaic / DialectalTechnical / Veterinary / Historical / Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “hough” mean?
The joint in the hind leg of a quadruped, especially a horse, cow, or sheep, equivalent to the human ankle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The joint in the hind leg of a quadruped, especially a horse, cow, or sheep, equivalent to the human ankle; the tarsal joint.
In Scottish and Northern English dialects, can also refer to the human heel, or, as a verb, to hamstring an animal (cut the tendons of the hough).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'hough' may still appear in Scottish contexts and older texts; 'hock' is standard for modern use. In the US, 'hough' is virtually unknown; 'hock' is the universal term.
Connotations
UK: regional, rustic, or historical. US: unrecognized by most speakers.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both, but slightly more attested in UK historical/dialectal sources.
Grammar
How to Use “hough” in a Sentence
[VERB] the houghthe hough of [ANIMAL][ADJ] houghVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hough” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The drovers would hough the cattle to prevent them from straying.
American English
- (Not used; 'hamstring' is the term.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The recipe called for a hough bone to make the broth.
American English
- (Not used.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical agriculture, veterinary history, or dialectology texts.
Everyday
Not used in standard conversation.
Technical
May appear in older farriery or butchery texts; largely superseded by 'hock'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hough”
- Misspelling as 'hock' when quoting older texts.
- Pronouncing the 'gh' as /f/ (as in 'cough'); it's silent.
- Assuming it is in common modern use.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic or dialectal. It is the older form of 'hock', referring to an animal's tarsal joint.
It is pronounced identically to 'hock' (/hɒk/ in UK, /hɑːk/ in US). The 'gh' is silent.
Primarily in historical texts, Scottish dialect, or in traditional recipes like 'beef hough soup'.
Yes, archaically, meaning 'to hamstring' (cut the tendons of the hough).
The joint in the hind leg of a quadruped, especially a horse, cow, or sheep, equivalent to the human ankle.
Hough is usually technical / veterinary / historical / dialectal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common usage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A HORSE's 'HOck' sounds like 'HOUgh' – it's the OLD way to spell the same joint.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY AS A MACHINE (the hough/hock is a pivotal joint, a 'hinge' for leverage).
Practice
Quiz
Which term has largely replaced 'hough' in modern English?