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Webster 1913 Edition

-head

-head

(-hĕd)
,
suf
fix.
A variant of
-hood
.

Definition 2025

-head

-head

See also: head and Head

English

Suffix

-head

  1. Used to create nouns indicating a state, similar to the suffix -hood.
Derived terms

See also

Etymology 2

Combining form of the noun head.

Suffix

-head

  1. Used to form (usually derogatory) words for people who regularly have their mind focused upon a particular subject, activity, or a specified drug or other substance, or who are addicted in some way.
    motorhead, metalhead, pothead
  2. Used to form words to describe people who are fans of something, especially music.
Derived terms

Etymology

From Middle English -hed, -hede, attested from the 12th century, continuing a hypothetical Old English *-hǣde ‎(“-hood”), from Proto-Germanic *haidį̄ ‎(“state, condition”), related to Proto-Germanic *haiduz ‎(“manner, character, quality, state”) (cognate with German -heit, Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌹𐌳𐌿𐍃 ‎(haidus)). Originally restricted to adjectives, the suffix began to be attached to nouns as well from at least the 15th century, leading to confusion with the -hood suffix (Old English -hād), and finally to the wide replacement of -head by -hood even in adjectives.

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