ringlet

[ ring-lit ]

noun

1. a curled lock of hair.
2. a small ring or circle.
3. Astronomy. one of the thin or narrow rings that compose the major rings of Saturn.

ringlet

/ ˈrɪŋlɪt /

noun

1. a lock of hair hanging down in a spiral curl
2. any of numerous butterflies of the genus Erebia , most of which occur in S Europe and have dark brown wings marked with small black-and-white eyespots: family Satyridae

Derived Forms

• ˈringleted, adjective

Other Words From

• ringlet·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ringlet¹

First recorded in 1545–55; ring ¹ + -let

Example Sentences

Perhaps you’re picturing our intestinal Escherichia coli, or the shiny golden balls of staphylococcus, or the corkscrewing ringlets of Lyme disease spirochetes.

From Quanta Magazine

For example, the photo of JonBenét with ringlets in her hair and a crown of baby’s breath flowers continues to be used when discussing her case, even 25 years on.

From Time

Heaven curled her fine caramel hair into ringlets and walked the halls in monogrammed sweaters bearing her new family’s name.

From ProPublica

The size of the curling iron barrel can take your hair from small ringlets to beach waves with the difference of half an inch.

From Popular-Science

But the scissors were at hand, and the ringlet was cut and in his pocket before she was ready with her resistance.

From Project Gutenberg

I will give it you again in our Isle, and meantime keep it where my other treasures are—my letters and my dear ringlet.

From Project Gutenberg

Her hair was still parted over the forehead in the Grecian manner; a single ringlet stole down behind her ear.

From Project Gutenberg

His slender, skillful fingers adjusted the band and brushed a stray ringlet of hair back under the furs.

From Project Gutenberg

The most Adua had ever seen his dandelions construed for in the spring was a mere ringlet chain.

From Project Gutenberg