Horded - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

past tense

Horded is the past tense of the verb 'horde', which means to gather or accumulate a large number of items, often in an excessive or secretive manner. This verb typically implies a sense of greed or anxiety over the potential loss of possessions.

Synonyms

accumulated, collected, saved, stored.

Examples of usage

They horded supplies during the storm.
She horded old newspapers in her attic.
He had horded money for years.
Changing times made them realize they had horded too much.
After the sale, they horded all the discount items.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People often horde due to anxiety or the fear of scarcity, feeling a need to control their supplies.
Hoarding can be linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where individuals struggle to let go of items, regardless of their value.
Emotional attachment to items often drives hoarding behavior, making it difficult for some to discard even useless objects.

Literature

Hoarding appears as a theme in various books, often symbolizing greed or deeper insecurity in characters, influencing their decisions.
Famous novels like 'The Great Gatsby' explore the consequences of hoarding wealth and the hollowness it can create.
In many fables, the act of gathering excessively is often met with moral lessons about sharing and the importance of community.

Cultural Perspectives

In different cultures, hoarding can be seen either as a practical response to difficult times or as a sign of emotional distress needing help.
Traditional Japanese culture emphasizes minimalism, contrasting sharply with hoarding behaviors in other societies, highlighting diverse value systems.
Social norms regarding hoarding can influence how communities support individuals exhibiting this behavior, either with understanding or stigma.

Pop Culture

Reality TV shows like 'Hoarders' showcase the challenges and emotional struggles of people dealing with hoarding, raising awareness about the issue.
In video games, scavenging and collecting items often reflect a hoarding behavior, where players amass resources for survival.
Hoarding is often depicted in movies as a plot device that reveals character quirks or deeper issues, making it a relatable human experience.

Origin of 'horded'

Main points about word origin

The word 'horde' comes from the 14th-century Mongolian word 'ordu,' meaning 'camp' or 'army,' which relates to groups of people.
Initially, 'horde' referred to a large group of nomadic people but evolved into a term for any large crowd gathering or collecting items.
Hording as a concept has appeared in various languages, reflecting human behavior of accumulating resources.

The term 'horde' has its origins in the Mongolian word 'ordu', which referred to a military encampment. In the 13th century, the term began to be used in the context of referring to a large group of people or animals. Over time, it developed a connotation of excessive gathering or accumulation, particularly with regard to treasures or possessions. The verb 'horde' appeared in English, influenced by these notions of aggregation and often carrying a sense of avarice. From its military roots to its current use, 'horde' encapsulates themes of collection and frenzy, creating a vivid picture of chaos in a gathering. The word also reflects historical human behaviors surrounding scarcity and survival. Today, it retains that nuance, sometimes extending to the psychological implications of hoarding behavior.

Horded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations