HEAD WORD Meaning and
Definition
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A "head word" is a term often used in the field of lexicography and refers to the main entry or keyword of a dictionary. It is the word under which all the relevant information related to that word is provided. The head word is typically displayed in bold or capitalized letters to distinguish it from other elements in the entry.
In a dictionary, the head word serves as the entry point for users seeking definitions, pronunciations, usage examples, etymology, and other essential information about a particular word. It represents the central concept around which all relevant details are organized, allowing for quick and efficient look-up and understanding.
The head word can include single words, multiword phrases, compound words, idiomatic expressions, or any other lexical unit found in a language. It is carefully chosen to encompass the most common or standard form of a word and to provide easy access to comprehensive information about it.
In addition to serving as the primary access point, the head word also acts as a guiding reference for related words or subsidiary entries that might be derived from or linked to it. This hierarchical structure allows for logical arrangement and presentation of the entire vocabulary contained within the dictionary.
In summary, the head word is the main entry point and central concept in a dictionary that represents a word, phrase, or lexical unit. It provides comprehensive information and serves as a reference point for related terms.
Common Misspellings for HEAD WORD
- gead word
- bead word
- nead word
- jead word
- uead word
- yead word
- hwad word
- hsad word
- hdad word
- hrad word
- h4ad word
- h3ad word
- hezd word
- hesd word
- hewd word
- heqd word
- heas word
- heax word
- heac word
Etymology of HEAD WORD
The term "head word" is a compound noun composed of two individual words: "head" and "word".
1. "Head" has a long history in the English language and can be traced back to the Old English word "hēafod", meaning "top of the body" or "chief part". Over time, this word evolved into "head" with similar meanings, referring to the part of the body that houses the brain and is located at the top. "Head" is also used metaphorically to denote leadership, importance, or control over something.
2. "Word" stems from the Old English word "word", which itself evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "wurdan". It refers to a unit of language that carries meaning and can be spoken or written.
Similar spelling word for HEAD WORD
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