1. Plural of harthorn; the antlers of a male deer, historically used as a source of ammonia or as a decorative object.
Usage: archaic; historical
2. A pungent volatile compound (ammonia) historically obtained by burning or distilling deer antlers, used in smelling salts and cleaning products.
Usage: archaic; chemistry

Examples

• The hunter displayed the hartshorns above the fireplace as a trophy.
• In medieval times, hartshorns were ground into powder for medicinal purposes.
• The apothecary kept a bottle of hartshorns essence for reviving fainting patients.
• Hartshorns were once a common ingredient in household cleaning solutions.
• The antique shop sold decorative hartshorns carved with intricate designs.