loggerhead

American  

[law-ger-hed, log-er-] / ˈlɔ gərˌhɛd, ˈlɒg ər- /

noun

1. a thick-headed or stupid person; blockhead.

2. loggerhead turtle.

3. loggerhead shrike.

4. a ball or bulb of iron with a long handle, used, after being heated, to melt tar, heat liquids, etc.

5. a rounded post, in the stern of a whaleboat, around which the harpoon line is passed.

6. a circular inkwell having a broad, flat base.

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idioms

1. at loggerheads, engaged in a disagreement or dispute; quarreling.

   They were at loggerheads over the distribution of funds.

loggerhead British  

/ ˈlɒɡəˌhɛd /

noun

1. Also called: loggerhead turtle.  a large-headed turtle, Caretta caretta, occurring in most seas: family Chelonidae

2. a North American shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, having a grey head and body, black-and-white wings and tail, and black facial stripe

3. a tool consisting of a large metal sphere attached to a long handle, used for warming liquids, melting tar, etc

4. a strong round upright post in a whaleboat for belaying the line of a harpoon

5. archaic a blockhead; dunce

6. engaged in dispute or confrontation

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Other Word Forms

• loggerheaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of loggerhead

1580–90; logger block of wood (first attested alone in 18th century) + head

Related Words

• tortoise