scratch-wig
Definition
Noun: A "scratch-wig" is a type of wig that covers only part of the head, typically used to conceal baldness or thinning hair on a specific area, such as the crown or top of the scalp.
Usage Examples
- (A partial wig covering only a specific area of hair loss.)
- (A wig that covers only part of the head, not a full wig.)
Advanced Usage
- "to wear a scratch-wig": to use a partial wig for cosmetic or theatrical purposes.
- In the 18th century, gentlemen often wore scratch-wigs to appear more fashionable. (Partial wigs were a common accessory for men at that time.)
Variants and Related Words
Scratch (n): a light mark or cut on a surface; also, a wig that covers only part of the head (shortened form).
- The barber adjusted the scratch on the actor's head. (Here, "scratch" is a colloquial term for a scratch-wig.)
Wig (n): a covering for the head made of real or artificial hair.
- She bought a full wig for the costume party. (A complete head covering, unlike a scratch-wig.)
Synonyms
- Partial wig: a wig that covers only a portion of the head.
- Half-wig: a wig that covers the top or back of the head, often used for volume or coverage.
- Topper: a small wig or hairpiece used to add volume or cover thinning hair on the crown.
Related Idioms
- "Keep your wig on": an informal phrase meaning to stay calm or not get angry (unrelated to scratch-wigs but uses the root word "wig").
- Don't panic—keep your wig on and we'll solve this. (Stay calm.)
Notes on Usage
- The term "scratch-wig" is now largely historical or archaic, most commonly found in descriptions of 18th-century fashion or theatrical costumes. In modern English, it is rarely used outside of specialized contexts like historical reenactments or wig-making.