Roundhead

noun

Round·​head ˈrau̇nd-ˌhed How to pronounce Roundhead (audio)
1
: a member of the parliamentary party in England at the time of Charles I and Oliver Cromwell
2

Word History

Etymology

from the Puritans' cropping their hair short in contrast to the Cavaliers

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Roundhead was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near Roundhead

Cite this Entry

“Roundhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Roundhead. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Roundhead

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!