hord

Hord is a rarely used variant spelling of the noun hoard, meaning a stored or hidden cache of valuable objects, such as coins, jewelry, or other treasure. In modern English, hoard is the standard form, and hord appears mainly in older texts, dialect writing, or as a historical or literary spelling.

Etymology and usage: The word hoard derives from Old English hord, which signified treasure or a guarded stock. The form hord persists in some medieval or regional texts, but today hoard is used for a stash and the related verb hoard for the act of collecting and storing valuables.

Distinction from similar terms: Hord should not be confused with horde, a separate word meaning a large group of people, often a nomadic or invading group. Horde comes from Turkish or Mongolic roots (via French and English usage) and is used to describe a crowd or army, not a cache of valuables. The two terms are pronounced similarly in many dialects but have different meanings and histories.

Other uses: Hord can appear as a surname or as a place name in some regions, and may be encountered in historical or genealogical contexts. In contemporary writing, however, it is generally regarded as an archaic or erroneous spelling for hoard.

Summary: Hord primarily functions as an archaic variant of hoard, a hidden stock of valuables. For modern usage, prefer hoard when referring to a cache, and horde when referring to a large group of people.