headpiece

[ hed-pees ]

noun

1. a piece of armor for the head; heads; helmet.
2. any covering for the head. heads.
3. a headset.
4. the head heads as the seat of the intellect; judgment.
5. the top piece or part of any of various things.
6. Printing. a decorative piece at the head heads of a page, chapter, etc.

headpiece

/ ˈhɛdˌpiːs /

noun

1. printing a decorative band at the top of a page, chapter, etc
2. any covering for the head, esp a helmet
3. archaic.
   the intellect
4. a less common word for crownpiece

Word History and Origins

Origin of headpiece¹

First recorded in 1520–30; head + piece

Example Sentences

At this year’s Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Day of the Dead festival we talked with attendees behind elaborate costumes, from floral headpieces to skeleton face paintings.

From Los Angeles Times

When a swimmer’s cap fell into the pool, Paris sent a Speedo-clad worker to collect the headpiece.

From Los Angeles Times

Their feathers were often worn as headpieces by chiefs and their families and also gifted or traded.

From BBC

Gone are the canary-yellow gowns and tacky headpieces.

From New York Times

Her black Marge Simpson-esque headpiece, long green nails and jewelry to match really nail the "what I wear to my rich husband’s funeral" vibe of the outfit.

From Salon

Related Words

• fedora
• headgear
• helmet