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stubs of horns
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Johnleo  #514703  Sat, 17 May 08 06:01 AM

From Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

(A dragon Hagrid won from a stranger)Its spiny wings were huge compared to its skinny jet body and it had a long snout with wide nostrils, stubs of horns and bulging, orange eyes.

 What is "stubs of horns"?

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Avangi  #514752  Sat, 17 May 08 09:48 AM

very short horns, like the stump of a tree.  (A stump has been "cut off" while a stub probably has not.)  In my recollection, it would differ from a sprout (very early stage of growth) in being larger in diameter.    -   like a stub of a cigar.

 - A.
  
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Johnleo  #514805  Sat, 17 May 08 12:31 PM

Thank you, Avangi.
  
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