I. ˈhed noun
Etymology: Middle English hed, from Old English hēafod; akin to Old High German houbit head, Latin caput
Date: before 12th century
1. : the upper or anterior division of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth
2.
a. : the seat of the intellect : mind
two head s are better than one
b. : a person with respect to mental qualities
let wiser head s prevail
c. : natural aptitude or talent
a good head for figures
d. : mental or emotional control : poise
a level head
e. : headache
3. : the obverse of a coin — usually used in plural
head s, I win
4.
a. : person , individual
count head s
b. plural head : one of a number (as of domestic animals)
5.
a. : the end that is upper or higher or opposite the foot
the head of the table
head of a sail
b. : the source of a stream
c. : either end of something (as a drum) whose two ends need not be distinguished
6. : director , leader : as
a. : headmaster
b. : one in charge of a division or department in an office or institution
the head of the English department
7.
a. : capitulum 2
b. : the foliaged part of a plant especially when consisting of a compact mass of leaves or close fructification
a head of lettuce
8.
a. : the leading element of a military column or a procession
b. : headway
9.
a. : the uppermost extremity or projecting part of an object : top
b. : the striking part of a weapon, tool, or implement
c. : the rounded proximal end of a long bone (as the humerus)
d. : the end of a muscle nearest the origin
e. : the oval part of a printed musical note
10.
a. : a body of water kept in reserve at a height ; also : the containing bank, dam, or wall
b. : a mass of water in motion
11.
a. : the difference in elevation between two points in a body of fluid
b. : the resulting pressure of the fluid at the lower point expressible as this height ; broadly : pressure of a fluid
12.
a. : the bow and adjacent parts of a ship
b. : a ship's toilet ; broadly : toilet 3
13. : the approximate length of the head of a horse
won by a head
14. : the place of leadership, honor, or command
at the head of her class
15.
a.
(1) : a word or series of words often in larger letters placed at the beginning of a passage or at the top of a page in order to introduce or categorize
(2) : a separate part or topic
b. : a portion of a page or sheet that is above the first line of printing
16. : the foam or scum that rises on a fermenting or effervescing liquid (as beer)
17.
a. : the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which it is likely to break
b. : culminating point of action : crisis
events came to a head
18.
a. : a part or attachment of a machine or machine tool containing a device (as a cutter or drill) ; also : the part of an apparatus that performs the chief function or a particular function
b. : an electromagnet used as a transducer in magnetic recording for recording on, reading, or erasing a magnetic medium (as tape or a disk)
19. : an immediate constituent of a construction that can have the same grammatical function as the whole (as man in “an old man”, “a very old man”, or “the man in the street”)
20.
a. : one who uses a drug — often used in combination
pot head
b. : a devoted enthusiast : aficionado — often used in combination
computer head
21. often vulgar : fellatio , cunnilingus — usually used with give
•
- by the head
- off one's head
- out of one's head
- over one's head
II. adjective
Date: before 12th century
1. : of, relating to, or intended for the head
2. : principal , chief
head cook
3. : situated at the head
4. : coming from in front
head sea
III. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : behead
2.
a. : to put a head on : fit a head to
head an arrow
b. : to form the head or top of
tower head ed by a spire
3. : to act as leader or head to
head a revolt
4.
a. : to get in front of so as to hinder, stop, or turn back
b. : to take a lead over (as a racehorse) : surpass
c. : to pass (a stream) by going round above the source
5.
a. : to put something at the head of (as a list)
b. : to stand as the first or leading member of
head s the list of heroes
6. : to set the course of
head a ship northward
7. : to drive (as a soccer ball) with the head
intransitive verb
1. : to form a head
this cabbage head s early
2. : to point or proceed in a certain direction
the fleet was head ing out
3. : to have a source : originate