hoard
n. countablen. a large collection of valuable things that someone has hidden or kept for the future.
n. a hidden fund or supply of valuables, often stored away for preservation or future use. In archaeological contexts, refers specifically to a group of objects purposefully buried in the ground.
The farmer discovered a hoard of gold coins in his field.
Archaeologists believe the hoard was buried during a time of war to protect the family's wealth from invaders.
The discovery of the Viking hoard provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the trade routes and silver currency used across Northern Europe during the ninth century.
From Middle English hord, from Old English hord (“an accumulation of valuable objects cached for preservation or future use; treasure; hoard”), from Proto-West Germanic hoʀd, from Proto-Germanic huzdą (“treasure; hoard”), of unknown origin, but possibly derived from Proto-Indo-European *kewdʰ- (“to conceal, hide”), thus meaning “something hidden”. Cognate with German Hort (“hoard; refuge”), Icelandic hodd (“treasure”), Latin cū̆stōs (“guard; keeper”). For the meaning development compare Russian сокро́вище (sokróvišče, “treasure”) related to Russian скрыва́ть (skryvátʹ, “to hide, to conceal”).
From Middle English horden, from Old English hordian, from Proto-West Germanic *hoʀdōn.
From Middle English hord, whorde, from Anglo-Norman hurde and Old French hourd, hourt (“barrier, palisade”), from Middle Dutch horde, from Old Dutch hurd, from Proto-West Germanic hurdi (“wickerwork, braiding of branches, hurdle, scaffolding, military company”).
Often followed by 'of' to specify the contents, such as 'a hoard of treasure' or 'a hoard of supplies'.
a horde of golda hoard of goldLearners often confuse 'hoard' (a hidden collection) with 'horde' (a large group of people).