marcel

¹

[mahr-sel]

verb (used with object)

marcelled, marcelling 

1. to wave (the hair) by means of special irons, producing the effect of regular, continuous waves marcel waves.

noun

1. a marcelling.

2. a marcelled condition.

Marcel

²

[mahr-sel, mar-sel]

noun

1. Gabriel 1887–1973, French philosopher, dramatist, and critic.

2. a male given name.

marcel

¹

/ mɑːˈsɛl /

noun

1. Also called: marcel wave. a hairstyle characterized by repeated regular waves, popular in the 1920s

verb

1. (tr) to make such waves in (the hair) with special hot irons

Marcel

²

/ marsɛl /

noun

1. Gabriel ( Honoré ) (ɡabriɛl). 1889–1973, French Christian existentialist philosopher and dramatist, whose philosophical works include Being and Having (1949) and The Mystery of Being (1951)

Other Word Forms

• marceller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcel¹

First recorded in 1890–95; named after Marcel Grateau (1852–1936), French hairdresser who originated it

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcel¹

C20: after Marcel Grateau (1852–1936), French hairdresser

Example Sentences

Were the Roaring Twenties a time of release, as they’re often depicted in pop culture — all those glittery dresses and tiaras and marcelled hair!

Read more on New York Times

In one still from Peacock Records, the processed and marcelled hair that was Little Richard’s irrepressible glory has been squashed beneath a calypsonian’s straw hat.

Read more on New York Times

The Harlem in “The Back Room” is a site for “fine gowns and tuxedos, marcel waves and glitter.”

Read more on Washington Times

Five girls, photographed in front of a stone wall and scraggy hillside, have tricked themselves out in full Gothic-Victorian funeral garb: black lace mantillas, black fans, and teary marcelled locks.

Read more on The New Yorker

She dressed handsomely and wore her hair in soft marcel waves.

Read more on Washington Post