The term "tow haired" refers to a person with light-colored hair, typically blonde or light brown. The word "tow" is a reference to the fibers of flax, which are light-colored and resemble human hair. The pronunciation of "tow haired" is /taʊˈhɛərd/, with the first syllable pronounced like "cow" but with a "t" sound instead. The "ai" in "haired" is pronounced like the word "air", and the final "ed" is pronounced like "d".
Tow-haired is an adjective used to describe a person or animal's hair color or texture. It refers to hair that is light in color and has a fine, flaxen, or straw-like appearance. The term is derived from the word "tow," which originally referred to the coarse fibers separated from flax during the process of making linen.
Typically, tow-haired individuals have hair that is light blonde or pale yellow in color, resembling the hue of the fibers obtained from flax. This term is often used to describe the hair of children, particularly those with fair complexions and lighter features. Tow-haired hair often appears thin and delicate, giving it a soft and ethereal quality.
The use of the term "tow-haired" suggests a certain innocence and purity associated with its light and airy appearance. It is commonly used in literature, poetry, and descriptive writing to evoke a sense of delicate beauty or to emphasize youthful attributes.
In summary, "tow-haired" is an adjective that describes hair, particularly that of a person or animal, which is light in color, ranging from pale yellow to blonde. This type of hair is characterized by its fineness and flaxen appearance, reminiscent of the fiber separated from flax during the production of linen.
The word "tow-haired" is a compound formed by combining "tow" and "haired".
The noun "tow" refers to the short, flaxen, or light-colored fibers of flax, hemp, or jute. These fibers are typically coarse and unprocessed, used for making twine or rope.
The term "haired" is the past participle of the verb "hair", which means to cover or adorn with hair.
Therefore, when "tow" is combined with "haired", it describes someone whose hair color or texture resembles the unprocessed, light-colored fibers of flax or hemp.