head-dress

A woman wears an elaborate head-dress for a special occasion.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An ornamental covering for the head: A "head-dress" is a decorative item worn on the head, often as part of a cultural, ceremonial, or traditional costume. It can include hats, headbands, feathers, flowers, or other adornments.
   • A hairstyle or head covering: In some contexts, "head-dress" refers to a way of arranging hair or a cloth worn over the head for ornamentation or modesty, especially by women.

Usage Examples

• (An ornamental head covering with cultural significance.)
• (A decorative item worn on the head.)
• (A traditional ornamental head covering.)

Advanced Usage

• "ceremonial head-dress": a head covering worn during formal rituals or celebrations.

  • The queen's ceremonial head-dress was encrusted with jewels. (A decorative headpiece for special occasions.)

• "traditional head-dress": a head covering that reflects the customs or identity of a particular group.

  • The Maori head-dress, made from feathers and woven flax, is a symbol of tribal pride. (A culturally significant head covering.)

Variants and Related Words

• Head-dresses (n, plural): multiple items of ornamental head coverings.
  • The museum displayed a collection of historical head-dresses from around the world. (Various ornamental headpieces.)
• Headdress (n, alternative spelling): a common variant without the hyphen.
  • The bride's headdress featured fresh orchids. (A decorative head covering.)

Synonyms

• Headpiece: an item worn on the head for decoration or protection.
• Headgear: a general term for any covering for the head.
• Tiara: a small crown-like ornament worn on the head, often by women.
• Crown: a circular ornamental head covering worn by a monarch.

Related Idioms

• "to wear a head-dress": to adopt a specific cultural or traditional head covering.

  • During the festival, everyone wore a traditional head-dress. (They adorned their heads with cultural ornaments.)

• "feather in one's head-dress": a symbolic achievement or honor (derived from the practice of adding feathers to a head-dress for accomplishments).

  • Winning the award was another feather in his head-dress. (Another achievement to be proud of.)