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Added 1 October 2026

head

/hɛd/ noun

In Latin: caput Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about head at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The part of the body of an animal or human which contains the brain, mouth, and main sense organs.
Be careful when you pet that dog on the head; it may bite.
To do with heads. Mental or emotional aptitude or skill.
The company is looking for people with good heads for business.
Mental or emotional aptitude or skill.
The company is looking for people with good heads for business.

adjective

Of, relating to, or intended for the head.

verb

To be in command of. (See also head up.)
Who heads the board of trustees?
To come at the beginning or front of; to commence.
A group of clowns headed the procession.
To strike with the head
to head the ball

adjective

Foremost in rank or importance.
the head cook
Placed at the top or the front.
Coming from in front.
head sea

Origin

From Middle English efd, had, hafd, heafd, hed, heed, hefet, heid, het, hevd, heved, hevid, hiede, hæfd, hæfedd, from Old English hēafod (“head; top; leader; origin”), from Proto-West Germanic *haubud, from Proto-Germanic *haubudą (“head”), from Proto-Indo-European *káput (“head”), from *kap- (“head; bowl, cup”). The modern word comes from Old English oblique stem hēafd-; the expected Modern English outcome for hēafod would be *heaved (similar to the Middle English word). Doublet of cape, capo, caput, chef, chief, and Howth.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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