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

• horsehaired adjective

Etymology

Origin of horsehair

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

Example Sentences

It was the most unusual contraption, and I can best describe it as a horsehair cage.

From Literature

Putty noses, horsehair wigs, and phony accents were his bread and butter, so to speak.

From Literature

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

Fiber reinforcement has been around since the first masons were mixing horsehair into their mud.

From Science Daily

Previous studies have suggested that horsehair worms hijack their hosts' biological pathways and increase movement towards light, which leads the hosts to approach water.

From Science Daily