forelock

¹ American  

[fawr-lok, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌlɒk, ˈfoʊr- /

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.

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forelock ² American  

[fawr-lok, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌlɒk, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten by means of a forelock.

forelock ¹ British  

/ ˈfɔːˌlɒk /

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

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forelock ² British  

/ ˈfɔːˌlɒk /

noun

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

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verb

1. (tr) to secure (a bolt) by means of a forelock

Etymology

Origin of forelock¹

1640–50; fore- + lock ²; probably not continuous with Old English foreloccas (plural), attested once

Origin of forelock²

First recorded in 1275–1325, forelock is from the Middle English word forelok. See fore-, lock ¹

Example Sentences

One face, sporting a pale forelock, looms large.

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2023

Before she married the world’s most humble millionaire, Kim Kardashian had another streak of brilliance in her life: her father Robert Kardashian’s forelock.

From The Guardian • Mar. 8, 2016

With his delicate features, brimming eyes and sashaying forelock, DiCaprio was born to play romantic youth of Romeo's fetching ilk.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2016

He would have tugged a forelock if he had one.

From Washington Times • Jan. 14, 2016

“AhnaNanaWarraBaaBaa,” said Wat, pulling his forelock, smiling, bowing and gently waving his arms in various directions.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White