guard hair

noun

1. the long, usually stiff outer hair protecting the underfur in certain animals.

guard hair

noun

1. any of the coarse hairs that form the outer fur in certain mammals, rising above the underfur

Word History and Origins

Origin of guard hair¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

“The underfur is five times as dense as those guard hairs.”

From Washington Post

At Gray’s pain scream, Pax’s guard hairs lifted and his heartbeat quickened.

From Literature

Silver moved in a halo of light, for the sun sparkled on the guard hairs that grew out over the dense underfur and she seemed to glow.

From Literature

The hinged traps are bigger or smaller, they’re redder or greener, the guard hairs are longer or miniaturized, and so on.

From Washington Post

The coarser outer hair, or “guard hair,” is used to weave ropes, belts, saddle blankets and rugs.

From Washington Times