Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A surname: "Bankhead" is primarily used as a family name.
   • A specific individual: Most famously, "Bankhead" refers to Tallulah Bankhead, a noted 20th-century American actress known for her flamboyant personality and distinctive voice.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The role was famously played by Tallulah Bankhead. (The actress Tallulah Bankhead is the person associated with this performance.)
  • The Bankhead family has a long history in the region. (Here, "Bankhead" is used as a surname for a family.)

Advanced Usage

• "A Bankhead performance": This phrase may be used to describe a theatrical performance that is dramatic, bold, or uninhibited, evoking the style of Tallulah Bankhead.
  • Her rendition was pure Bankhead—full of passion and wit.

Variants and Related Words

• Bankheadian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of Tallulah Bankhead or her style.
  • The actress delivered a Bankheadian performance, captivating the audience with her husky voice and dramatic flair.

Synonyms

• Actress: performer, thespian (when referring specifically to Tallulah Bankhead's profession).

Notes on Meaning

• The word "Bankhead" is almost exclusively a proper noun. Its recognition in common usage is intrinsically linked to the celebrity of Tallulah Bankhead. It does not have a general meaning as a common noun (like "bank" or "head").

Noun

1. uninhibited United States actress (1903-1968)