horsehair

American  

[hawrs-hair] / ˈhɔrsˌhɛər /

noun

1. a hair or the hair of a horse, especially from the mane or tail.

2. a sturdy, glossy fabric woven of this hair.

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adjective

1. of or relating to horsehair.

   a horsehair mattress.

horsehair British  

/ ˈhɔːsˌhɛə /

noun

1. 1. hair taken chiefly from the tail or mane of a horse, used in upholstery and for fabric, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a horsehair mattress

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• horsehaired
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of horsehair

First recorded in 1275–1325, horsehair is from Middle English hors here. See horse, hair

Example Sentences

Their complex armor is laden with fur, horsehair or leather, which was hand painted to look like scuffed metal, but weigh much less.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2024

"Strikingly, many of the horsehair worm genes that could play important roles in manipulating their hosts were very similar to mantid genes, suggesting that they were acquired through horizontal gene transfer," says Mishina.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

They focused on horsehair or gordian worms, a group of parasitic animals related to nematodes.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 19, 2023

Eco designers Vim and Omi were commissioned to make a dress for the show and chose to reflect all three issues in a striking dress made from nettles, horsehair and linen.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2023

Then they’d process down the hall and into the parlor, and Mrs, Cobb would sit in her chair, Turner at the stool, and Lizzie on the floor against the horsehair chair, and Turner would begin.

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt