/ ˈwɪskə(r); NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] any of the long stiff hairs that grow near the mouth of a cat, mouse, etc.
2.
whiskers [ pl. ] ( old-fashioned or humorous ) the hair growing on a man's face, especially on his cheeks and chin
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IDIOMS
- be, come, etc. within a whisker of sth / doing sth
- by a whisker
—more at cat —picture at snout
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (originally denoting a bundle of feathers, twigs, etc., used for whisking): from the verb whisk + -er .