hairline

American  

[hair-lahyn] / ˈhɛərˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a very slender line.

2. the lower edge of the hair, especially along the upper forehead.

   a hairline that slowly receded.

3. worsted fabric woven with very fine lines or stripes.

4. Printing.

   1. a very thin line on the face of a type.

   2. a style of type consisting entirely of such lines. line.

   3. a thin rule for printing fine lines. line.

   4. undesirable vertical lines line between letters, caused by worn matrices.

---

adjective

1. narrow or fine as a hair.

   a hairline fracture.

hairline British  

/ ˈhɛəˌlaɪn /

noun

1. the natural margin formed by hair on the head

2. 1. a very narrow line

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hairline crack

3. printing

   1. a thin stroke in a typeface

   2. any typeface consisting of such strokes

   3. thin lines beside a character, produced by worn or poorly cast type

4. a rope or line of hair

---

Etymology

Origin of hairline

First recorded in 1725–35; hair + line ¹

Example Sentences

The skin at her temples had been pulled back and secured with strips of tape at her hairline.

From Literature

Everything from their birthday parties to their hairlines was scrutinized.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was later revealed that Tucker sustained a hairline fracture in June, which he played through.

From Los Angeles Times

With his weathered face and receding hairline, he did not stand out for his movie star looks but for the intensity and depth he brought to his craft.

From Los Angeles Times

Not those hairline millimetre is he on or off line drawing nonsense situations.

From BBC

Related Words

• delicious
• delightful
• elegant
• exquisite
• fragile
• gentle
• graceful
• mild
• rare
• soft
• subtle
• tender