guard hair

Thân thiện

A dog's thick guard hair sheds water and dirt.

Definition

Noun: - Coarse outer hair: Guard hair refers to the longer, stiffer, and often coarser hairs that make up the outer layer of a mammal's coat. Its primary function is to protect the softer, denser underfur beneath from moisture, dirt, and physical damage.

Usage

Guard hair is a specific biological term used to describe a component of animal fur or pelage. - The outer coat of the dog is composed of thick guard hair that sheds water. - In winter, the Arctic fox's guard hairs become especially dense and white.

Advanced Usage

• In Zoology and Textiles: The term is used in scientific descriptions of animal anatomy and in industries that process fur, where guard hairs are sometimes removed to access the softer underfur.
  • The quality of the pelt is assessed by the length and sheen of the guard hair.

Variants and Related Words

• Guard hairs (plural noun): The standard plural form.
• Overhair (noun): A synonym sometimes used in technical contexts.
• Underfur (noun): The soft, dense, insulating layer of hair protected by the guard hair.
• Pelage (noun): The entire coat of a mammal, including guard hair and underfur.

Synonyms

• Overhair
• Topcoat (common in describing dog breeds)
• Outer coat

Related Phrases

• Guard hair layer: The protective outer layer formed by these hairs.
  • The guard hair layer is essential for the animal's survival in wet climates.

Học thuật

Noun

1. coarse hairs that form the outer fur and protect the underfur of certain mammals