forelock

¹

[ fawr-lok, fohr- ]

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.

forelock

²

[ fawr-lok, fohr- ]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten by means of a forelock.

forelock

¹

/ ˈfɔːˌlɒk /

noun

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

verb

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

forelock

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

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

MulletChamp.com states that the mullet has a long history: “Homer even described a haircut that sounds eerily familiar in The Iliad: ‘their forelocks cropped, hair grown long at the backs.’”

From Seattle Times

One face, sporting a pale forelock, looms large.

From Washington Post

Shapovalov, a big-hitting, left-handed Canadian with a blond forelock that flops over his white bandanna, was in his first Grand Slam semifinal.

From Washington Post

Sinclair, 26, on a recent warm afternoon sauntering through Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, slick forelock curled in an anime flip, inked arms emerging from the sleeves of a sinuous Issey Miyake pleated dress.

From New York Times

Then she reaches up and smoothes the horse’s forelock against his face.

From Literature