Forehead is spelled with two syllables and five letters. The first syllable is pronounced with the sound /fɔː/, as in "four," and the second syllable is pronounced with the sound /hɛd/, as in "head." The combination of the letters "e" and "a" in the second syllable creates the short vowel sound of /ɛ/, rather than the long vowel sound of /iː/, as it would be pronounced in the word "head." The spelling of "forehead" reflects the pronunciation of the word in English.
Forehead is a noun that refers to the part of the face located above the eyes and below the hairline. It is a prominent and smooth area that stretches horizontally across the upper facial region. The forehead is generally characterized by its relatively flat and broad surface, which extends from one temple to the other, serving as a protective shield for the underlying brain.
Among anatomical features, the forehead is typically distinguished by its lack of hair growth, making it distinct from other regions of the scalp. This attribute grants it a unique appearance and allows for easy identification. Moreover, the forehead possesses significant physiological importance as it aids in thermal regulation by dissipating heat and acts as a sensory zone for detecting temperature and pressure.
The shape, size, and prominence of the forehead can vary among individuals and often play a role in defining their overall facial appearance. It may be considered as an aesthetically significant feature, and alterations in its proportions can impact an individual's perceived attractiveness.
In some cultures and religions, the forehead holds cultural and religious significance. For instance, it may be used for the placement of religious marks, such as bindi or tilak, which hold symbolical or cultural connotations.
Overall, the forehead serves both functional and cosmetic purposes, making it a central component of the human face.
The brow; the part of the face between the eyebrows and the hairy scalp; frons, metopon.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The part of the face extending from the hair of the head to the eyes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "forehead" originates from Old English, combining two words: "fore" meaning "in front of" or "before", and "heafod" meaning "head". "Fore" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "fura" meaning "in front", which is akin to the Old High German word "fora" and Old Norse word "fora". Similarly, "heafod" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "haubudam", which is related to the Old Saxon word "hofud", Old Norse word "hauptr", and Old High German word "houbot". Together, these two words form "forehead", referring to the part of the face situated in front of the head.