forelock









forelock


forelock 1[fawr-lok, fohr-] ExamplesWord Origin noun

  1. the lock of hair that grows from the fore part of the head.
  2. (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

  1. a pin or flat wedge passed through a hole near the end of a threadless bolt to fasten parts together.

verb (used with object)

  1. 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.

    Good Indian

    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.

    The Market-Place

    Harold Frederic

  • The sailor jumped to his feet and touched his forelock civilly enough.

    In the Days of Drake

    J. S. Fletcher

  • A good scout is ready for both and always grips “time by the forelock.”

    Boy Scouts Handbook

    Boy Scouts of America

  • British Dictionary definitions for forelock forelock 1 noun

    1. a lock of hair growing or falling over the forehead
    2. a lock of a horse’s mane that grows forwards between the ears

    forelock 2 noun

    1. a wedge or peg passed through the tip of a bolt to prevent withdrawal

    verb

    1. (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]

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