forelock 1[fawr-lok, fohr-] ExamplesWord Origin noun
- the lock of hair that grows from the fore part of the head.
- (of a horse) a tuft of hair above or on the forehead.
Origin of forelock 1 1640–50; fore- + lock2; probably not continuous with Old English foreloccas (plural), attested once forelock 2[fawr-lok, fohr-] noun
- a pin or flat wedge passed through a hole near the end of a threadless bolt to fasten parts together.
verb (used with object)
- to fasten by means of a forelock.
Origin of forelock 2First recorded in 1275–1325, forelock is from the Middle English word forelok. See fore-, lock1 Examples from the Web for forelock Historical Examples of forelock
He hesitated, biting his lip and plucking absently the tangles from the forelock of his horse.
B. M. Bower
“Take time by the forelock, you see,” said he as he recognized Ashburner.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851
Various
Everybody in the yard touched a forelock to him as he passed.
Harold Frederic
The sailor jumped to his feet and touched his forelock civilly enough.
J. S. Fletcher
A good scout is ready for both and always grips “time by the forelock.”
Boy Scouts of America
British Dictionary definitions for forelock forelock 1 noun
- a lock of hair growing or falling over the forehead
- a lock of a horse’s mane that grows forwards between the ears
forelock 2 noun
- a wedge or peg passed through the tip of a bolt to prevent withdrawal
verb
- (tr) to secure (a bolt) by means of a forelock
Word Origin and History for forelock n.
“lock of hair growing above the forehead,” Old English forelocca; see fore- + lock (n.2).
“Opportunity has hair in front, behind she is bald; if you seize her by the forelock, you may hold her; but, if she once escapes, not Jupiter himself can catch her again.” [“Dictionary of Latin Quotations, Proverbs, Maxims and Mottos,” H.T. Riley, London, 1866]