n.
Pronunciation: ' hwis-k ə r, ' wis-
Function: noun
Etymology: singular of whiskers mustache, from 2 whisk
Date: circa 1600
1 a : a hair of the beard b plural (1) archaic : MUSTACHE (2) : the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin c : HAIRBREADTH <lost the race by a whisker >
2 : one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or bird)
3 : an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys ― usually used in plural
4 a : a shred or filament resembling a whisker b : a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material
– whis · kered \ -k ə rd \ adjective
– whis · kery \ -k( ə -)r ē \ adjective