headpiece

[ hed-pees ]

noun

1. a piece of armor for the head; heads; helmet.
2. any covering for the head. heads.
3. a headset.
4. the head heads as the seat of the intellect; judgment.
5. the top piece or part of any of various things.
6. Printing. a decorative piece at the head heads of a page, chapter, etc.

headpiece

/ ˈhɛdˌpiːs /

noun

1. printing a decorative band at the top of a page, chapter, etc
2. any covering for the head, esp a helmet
3. archaic.
   the intellect
4. a less common word for crownpiece

Word History and Origins

Origin of headpiece¹

First recorded in 1520–30; head + piece

Example Sentences

Bearsun is able to maneuver it through a gap between the bottom of his large headpiece—a round, bulbous thing mounted on top of a motorcycle helmet, with two big, mesh-covered eyeholes—and his neck.

From Outside Online

According to WWD, the 18-carat gold and diamond headpiece has been returned to Barrett, who has ownership over the crown.

From The Daily Beast

The opening look combined a light turquoise, slinky evening gown with a mauve headpiece.

From The Daily Beast

Florence Brudenell-Bruce attends day two of Royal Ascot, wearing a striking feather headpiece by Jane Taylor.

From The Daily Beast

The headpiece characteristic of the Norman Conquest is the conical nasal Helm.

From Project Gutenberg

The usual form of helmet in the twelfth century is the cup-shaped headpiece of which the Cervellire is a typical example (Fig. 7).

From Project Gutenberg

Further on we read, now the feathers you may peradventure find, but the headpiece for the most part is laid aside.

From Project Gutenberg

Hildebrand has the watch on the tower—a heavy-headed knave, who holds a can of ale to be the best headpiece upon a night-watch.

From Project Gutenberg

The bow-man pulled back the bolt of the door, and thrust out the headpiece at the end of the bow.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fedora
• headgear
• helmet