headrail

1 of 2

noun (1)

head·​rail

ˈheˌdrāl

1

: one of the elliptical rails at a wooden ship's head extending from the place of the figurehead to the bow

2

a

: the upper horizontal piece of a door

b

: a solid piece at the top of the back of a chair

c

: a crosspiece at the head of a bed

headrail

2 of 2

noun (2)

"

: a medieval head covering for women consisting usually of a cloth draped loosely over the head and hanging down in back

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

translation of Old English hēafodhrægl, from hēafod head + hrægl garment

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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