Definition of Headword

1. Noun. A content word that can be qualified by a modifier.

Exact synonyms: Head Word
Generic synonyms: Content Word, Open-class Word
Group relationships: Phrase

2. Noun. A word placed at the beginning of a line or paragraph (as in a dictionary entry).
Generic synonyms: Word
Group relationships: Dictionary Entry, Lexical Entry

Definition of Headword

1. Noun. a word used as the title of a section, particularly in a dictionary, encyclopedia, or thesaurus ¹

2. Noun. (grammar) any word which may be modified by an adjunct ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Headword

1. a word put at the beginning [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Headword

headtubes
headwaiter
headwaiters
headwall
headwalls
headward
headwark
headwater
headwaters
headway
headways
headwear
headwears
headwind
headwinds
headword (current term)
headwords
headwork
headworks
headwrap
headwraps
heady
headyard
headyards
heaf
heah
heal
heal-all
heal all
heal up

Literary usage of Headword

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Native Writings in Massachusett by Ives Goddard, Kathleen Joan Bragdon (1988)
"Where no suitable headword occurs in the texts, ... Usually only the headword is glossed, and the glosses of headwords are sometimes generalized; ..."

2. The Two Admirals: A Tale by James Fenimore Cooper (1872)
"Why, sir, he says the name should be spelt headword, and that they were all lawyers. But I gave him as good as he sent for that saucy speech, I'm certain ! ..."

3. Bulletin by Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology (1908)
"The reason for this is that the highest controls the headword drainage area underground, the next lower stream is thereby impoverished of supply, ..."

4. A New English Grammar, Logical and Historical by Henry Sweet (1903)
"... elements of the preposition-group, although such constructions do occur. Modifying Nouns. 1798. In Old-English modifying nouns follow their headword, ..."

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