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head
1[hed]
noun
the upper part of the body in humans, joined to the torso by the neck and containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
Antonyms: footthe upper part of the body in animals, often joined to the torso by the neck and containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
the head considered as the center of the intellect, as of thought, memory, understanding, or emotional control; mind; brain.
She has a good head for mathematics.
Keep a cool head in an emergency.
the position or place of leadership, greatest authority, or honor.
a person to whom others are subordinate, as the director of an institution or the manager of a department; leader or chief.
a person considered with reference to their mind, disposition, attributes, status, etc..
wise heads;
crowned heads.
that part of anything that forms or is regarded as forming the top, summit, or upper end.
head of a pin;
head of a page.
the foremost part or front end of anything or a forward projecting part.
head of a procession.
the part of a weapon, tool, etc., used for striking.
the head of a hammer.
a person or animal considered merely as one of a number, herd, or group.
ten head of cattle;
a dinner at $20 a head.
a culminating point, usually of a critical nature; crisis or climax.
to bring matters to a head.
the hair covering the head.
to wash one's head.
froth or foam at the top of a liquid.
the head on beer.
Botany.
any dense flower cluster or inflorescence.
any other compact part of a plant, usually at the top of the stem, as that composed of leaves in the cabbage or lettuce, of leafstalks in the celery, or of flower buds in the cauliflower.
the maturated part of an abscess, boil, etc.
a projecting point of a coast, especially when high, as a cape, headland, or promontory.
the obverse of a coin, as bearing a head or other principal figure (tail ).
one of the chief parts or points of a written or oral discourse; a main division of a subject, theme, or topic.
something resembling a head in form or a representation of a head, as a piece of sculpture.
the source of a river or stream.
Slang.
a habitual user of a drug, especially LSD or marijuana (often used in combination).
the feds versus the heads; an acid-head; a meth head; a pothead.
a fan or devotee (usually used in combination).
a punk-rock head.
Distilling., heads, alcohol produced during the initial fermentation.
a toilet or lavatory, especially on a boat or ship.
Nautical.
the forepart of a vessel; bow.
the upper edge of a quadrilateral sail.
the upper corner of a jib-headed sail.
that part of the upper end of one spar of a mast that is overlapped by a spar above; a doubling at the upper end of a spar.
that part of the upper end of a mast between the highest standing rigging and the truck.
Grammar.
the member of an endocentric construction that belongs to the same form class and may play the same grammatical role as the construction itself.
the member upon which another depends and to which it is subordinate: in former presidents, presidents is head and former is modifier.
the stretched membrane covering the end of a drum or similar musical instrument.
Mining., a level or road driven into solid coal for proving or working a mine.
Machinery., any of various devices on machine tools for holding, moving, indexing, or changing tools or work, as the headstock or turret of a lathe.
Railroads., railhead.
(loosely) the pressure exerted by confined fluid.
a head of steam.
Also called pressure head. Hydraulics.
the vertical distance between two points in a liquid, as water, or some other fluid.
the pressure differential resulting from this separation, expressed in terms of the vertical distance between the points.
the pressure of a fluid expressed in terms of the height of a column of liquid yielding an equivalent pressure.
Also called magnetic head. Electronics., the part or parts of a tape recorder that record, play back, or erase magnetic signals on magnetic tape.
Computers., read/write head.
Photography.
a mounting for a camera, as on a tripod.
the part of an enlarger that contains the light source, negative carrier, lensboard, and lens.
Slang: Vulgar., fellatio or cunnilingus.
Archaic., power, strength, or force progressively gathered or gradually attained.
Informal., heads up! be careful! watch out for danger!
adjective
first in rank or position; chief; leading; principal.
a head official.
Antonyms: subordinate, subordinateof, relating to, or for the head (often used in combination).
head covering;
headgear;
headpiece.
situated at the top, front, or head of anything (often used in combination).
headline;
headboard.
moving or coming from a direction in front of the head or prow of a vessel.
head sea;
head tide;
head current.
Slang., of or relating to drugs, drug paraphernalia, or drug users.
verb (used with object)
to go at the head of or in front of; lead; precede.
to head a list.
to outdo or excel; take the lead in or over.
to head a race;
to head one's competitors in a field.
to be the head or chief of (sometimes followed byup ): to head up a department.
to head a school;
to head up a department.
to direct the course of; turn the head or front of in a specified direction.
I'll head the boat for the shore. Head me in the right direction and I'll walk to the store.
to go around the head of (a stream).
to furnish or fit with a head.
to take the head off; decapitate; behead.
to remove the upper branches of (a tree).
Fox Hunting., to turn aside (a fox) from its intended course.
to get in front of in order to stop, turn aside, attack, etc.
Soccer., to propel (the ball) by striking it with the head, especially with the forehead.
verb (used without object)
to move forward toward a point specified; direct one's course; go in a certain direction.
to head toward town.
to come or grow to a head; form a head.
Cabbage heads quickly.
(of a river or stream) to have the head or source where specified.
verb phrase
head off, to go before in order to hinder the progress of; intercept.
The police headed off the fleeing driver at a railroad crossing.
Head
2[hed]
noun
Edith, 1897–1981, U.S. costume designer.
-head
3a native English suffix meaning “state of being” (godhead; maidenhead ), occurring in words now mostly archaic or obsolete, many being superseded by forms in -hood.
head
1/ hɛd /
noun
the upper or front part of the body in vertebrates, including man, that contains and protects the brain, eyes, mouth, and nose and ears when present
the corresponding part of an invertebrate animal
something resembling a head in form or function, such as the top of a tool
the person commanding most authority within a group, organization, etc
( as modifier )
head buyer
( in combination )
headmaster
the position of leadership or command
at the head of his class
the most forward part of a thing; a part that juts out; front
the head of a queue
( as modifier )
head point
the highest part of a thing; upper end
the head of the pass
the froth on the top of a glass of beer
aptitude, intelligence, and emotions (esp in the phrases above or over one's head, have a head for, keep one's head, lose one's head, etc)
she has a good head for figures
a wise old head
a person or animal considered as a unit
the show was two pounds per head
six hundred head of cattle
the head considered as a measure of length or height
he's a head taller than his mother
botany
a dense inflorescence such as that of the daisy and other composite plants
any other compact terminal part of a plant, such as the leaves of a cabbage or lettuce
a culmination or crisis (esp in the phrase bring or come to a head )
the pus-filled tip or central part of a pimple, boil, etc
the head considered as the part of the body on which hair grows densely
a fine head of hair
the source or origin of a river or stream
(capital when part of name) a headland or promontory, esp a high one
the obverse of a coin, usually bearing a portrait of the head or a full figure of a monarch, deity, etc Compare tail 1
a main point or division of an argument, discourse, etc
(often plural) the headline at the top of a newspaper article or the heading of a section within an article
nautical
the front part of a ship or boat
(in sailing ships) the upper corner or edge of a sail
the top of any spar or derrick
any vertical timber cut to shape
(often plural) a slang word for lavatory
grammar another word for governor
the taut membrane of a drum, tambourine, etc
the height of the surface of liquid above a specific point, esp when considered or used as a measure of the pressure at that point
a head of four feet
pressure of water, caused by height or velocity, measured in terms of a vertical column of water
any pressure
a head of steam in the boiler
slang
a person who regularly takes drugs, esp LSD or cannabis
( in combination )
an acidhead
a pothead
mining a road driven into the coal face
the terminal point of a route
( in combination )
railhead
a device on a turning or boring machine, such as a lathe, that is equipped with one or more cutting tools held to the work by this device
See cylinder head
an electromagnet that can read, write, or erase information on a magnetic medium such as a magnetic tape, disk, or drum, used in computers, tape recorders, etc
informal, short for headmaster headmistress
the head of a horse considered as a narrow margin in the outcome of a race (in the phrase win by a head )
any narrow margin of victory (in the phrase ( win ) by a head )
informal, short for headache
curling the stones lying in the house after all 16 have been played
bowls the jack and the bowls that have been played considered together as a target area
rugby from the opposing side's put-in to the scrum
to speak sharply and angrily to someone
to bring or be brought to a crisis
matters came to a head
(of a boil) to cause to be or be about to burst
to come to believe (an idea, esp a whimsical one)
he got it into his head that the earth was flat
slang, to perform fellatio
to allow a person greater freedom or responsibility
to allow a horse to gallop by lengthening the reins
to make one dizzy or confused, as might an alcoholic drink
to make one conceited
his success has gone to his head
greatly superior to
turning a complete somersault
completely; utterly (esp in the phrase head over heels in love )
to be unashamed
to remain calm
to manage to survive a difficult experience
to make progress
(used with a negative) to attempt to understand (a problem, etc)
he couldn't make head or tail of the case
slang, insane or delirious
without previous thought; impromptu
at one's (own) risk or responsibility
slang, loudly or excessively
the baby cried its head off
without a person in the obvious position being considered, esp for promotion
the graduate was promoted over the heads of several of his seniors
without consulting a person in the obvious position but referring to a higher authority
in making his complaint he went straight to the director, over the head of his immediate boss
beyond a person's comprehension
informal, to consult together
to conceive a notion, desire, or wish (to do something)
to be so beautiful, unusual, or impressive as to attract a lot of attention
to treat or present something in a completely new and different way
health care which has turned orthodox medicine on its head
to make someone vain, conceited, etc
verb
(tr) to be at the front or top of
to head the field
to be in the commanding or most important position
(often foll by for) to go or cause to go (towards)
where are you heading?
to turn or steer (a vessel) as specified
to head into the wind
soccer to propel (the ball) by striking it with the head
(tr) to provide with or be a head or heading
to head a letter
the quotation which heads chapter 6
(tr) to cut the top branches or shoots off (a tree or plant)
(intr) to form a head, as a boil or plant
(of streams, rivers, etc) to originate or rise in
to toss the coins in a game of two-up
-head
2combining form
indicating a person having a preoccupation as specified
breadhead
Head
3/ hɛd /
noun
Edith. 1907–81, US dress designer: won many Oscars for her Hollywood film costume designs
Other Word Forms
- headlike adjective
- multihead noun
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of head1
Idioms and Phrases
over someone's head, to appeal to someone having a superior position or prior claim.
She went over her supervisor's head and complained to a vice president.
hang one's head, to become dejected or ashamed: Also hide one's head.
When he realized what an unkind thing he had done, he hung his head in shame.
lay / put heads together, to meet in order to discuss, consult, or scheme.
Neither of them had enough money for a tour of Europe, so they put their heads together and decided to find jobs there.
head and shoulders,
far better, more qualified, etc.; superior.
In intelligence, he was head and shoulders above the rest of the children in the class.
Archaic. by force.
head to head, in direct opposition or competition.
The candidates will debate head to head.
over one's head,
beyond one's comprehension, ability, or resources.
The classical allusion went right over his head.
beyond one's financial resources or ability to pay.
He's losing over his head in that poker game.
make heads roll, to exert authority by firing or dismissing employees or subordinates.
He made heads roll as soon as he took office.
off the top of one's head, candidly or extemporaneously.
Off the top of my head, I'd say that's right.
(down) by the head, loaded so as to draw more water forward than aft.
make head, to progress or advance, especially despite opposition; make headway.
There have been many delays, but we are at last making head.
lose one's head, to become uncontrolled or wildly excited.
When he thought he saw an animal in the underbrush, he lost his head and began shooting recklessly.
give someone his / her head, to permit someone to do as they like; allow someone freedom of choice.
She wanted to go away to college, and her parents gave her her head.
head over heels,
headlong, as in a somersault.
He tripped and fell head over heels into the gully.
intensely; completely.
head over heels in love.
impulsively; carelessly.
They plunged head over heels into the fighting.
rear its (ugly) head, (of something undesirable) to emerge or make an appearance, especially after being hidden.
Jealousy reared its ugly head and destroyed their relationship.
take it into one's head, to form a notion, purpose, or plan: Also take into one's head.
She took it into her head to study medicine.
keep one's head above water, to remain financially solvent.
Despite their debts, they are managing to keep their heads above water.
one's head off, extremely; excessively.
We screamed our heads off at that horror movie.
He laughed his head off at the monkey's antics.
get one's head together, to have one's actions, thoughts, or emotions under control or in order.
If he'd get his head together, maybe he'd get to work on time.
not make head or tail of, to be unable to understand or decipher: Also not make heads or tails of.
We couldn't make head or tail of the strange story.
on one's head, as one's responsibility or fault.
Because of his reckless driving he now has the deaths of three persons on his head.
keep one's head, to remain calm or poised, as in the midst of crisis or confusion.
It was fortunate that someone kept his head and called a doctor.
pull one's head in, to keep quiet or mind one's own business; shut up.
give head, to perform fellatio or cunnilingus.
have one’s head screwed on right / straight, to be sensible or rational: Also have one’s head on rightstraight
It seems like these young people have their heads screwed on right and that our future is in great hands.
come to a head,
to suppurate, as a boil.
to reach a crisis; culminate.
The struggle for power came to a head.
turn someone's head,
to cause someone to become smug or conceited.
Her recent success has completely turned her head.
to cause one to become foolish or confused.
A whirlwind romance has quite turned his head.
go to someone's head,
to make someone dizzy or drunk; overcome one with excitement.
Power went to his head. The brandy went to his head.
to make someone conceited or self-important.
Success went to his head.
out of one's head / mind,
insane; crazy.
Informal. delirious; irrational.
You're out of your head if you accept those terms.
More idioms and phrases containing head
- beat into someone's head
- beat one's head against the wall
- big head
- bite someone's head off
- bring to a head
- can't make head or tail of
- count noses (heads)
- do blindfolded (standing on one's head)
- enter one's mind (head)
- eyes in the back of one's head
- from head to toe
- get into one's head
- get one's head examined
- get through one's head
- give someone his or her head
- go to one's head
- good head on one's shoulders
- hang one's head
- hang over (one's head)
- have a head for
- have a screw loose (head screwed on right)
- hide one's head
- hide one's head in the sand
- hit the nail on the head
- hold a gun to someone's head
- hold one's head high
- in over one's head
- keep one's head
- laugh one's head off
- like a chicken with its head cut off
- lose one's head
- make one's head spin
- need like a hole in the head
- not right in the head
- off one's head
- off the top of one's head
- on one's head
- on the block (put one's head)
- over one's head
- price on one's head
- put ideas in someone's head
- put our heads together
- rear its ugly head
- rocks in one's head
- roof over one's head
- scratch one's head
- shake one's head
- soft in the head
- swelled head
- talk someone's arm (head) off
- throw oneself (at someone's head)
- touched in the head
- trouble one's head
- turn one's head
- upside the head
- use one's head
Example Sentences
Liu does indulge in the prolonging of heartache and indecision, and the story stalls while heading into the third act, the film stretched beyond what the material can sustain.
After Saturday, they head into the knockout stages, primed to get it right this time.
"It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will hurt thousands of European businesses by making it harder for them to make money," said Lee-Anne Mulholland, global head of regulatory affairs at Google.
"I've told everyone I'm not going to use it anymore," said Sonia before heading back into the office, flanked by work friends.
Soccer, will do something that has never been done before when she becomes the first female national federation head to preside over a World Cup.
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When To Use
The suffix -head has two distinct senses.The first of these senses is "a state of being." It is used rarely, typically in archaic or obscure terms.The suffix -head comes from Old English -hǣdu, roughly meaning “manner.”Many terms, such as barehead, use the second sense of -head: literally, "head," as in the part of the body. This usage is particularly found in insults, such as knucklehead.What are variants of -head?While not technically a variant of -head, the related suffix -hood, as in childhood, is more commonly used and similarly denotes a state of being.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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