-head

See also: head and Head

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English -hed, -hede, attested from the 12th century, continuing a hypothetical Old English *-hǣdu (“-hood”), from Proto-Germanic *haidį̄ (“state, condition”), related to Proto-Germanic *haiduz (“manner, character, quality, state”) (cognate with German -heit, Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌹𐌳𐌿𐍃 (haidus)). Originally restricted to adjectives, the suffix began to be attached to nouns as well from at least the 15th century, leading to confusion with the -hood suffix (Old English -hād), and finally to the wide replacement of -head by -hood even in adjectives.

Suffix

-head

1. Used to create nouns indicating a state, similar to the suffix -hood.

Derived terms

► English words suffixed with -head (abstract noun)

See also

• -hood
• -ness
• -itas

Etymology 2

Combining form of the noun head.

Suffix

-head

1. Used to form (usually derogatory) words for people who regularly have their mind focused upon a particular subject, activity, or a specified drug or other substance, or who are addicted in some way.

   motorhead, metalhead, pothead

2. Used to form words to describe people who are dedicated fans of something, especially music.

Derived terms

substance user

• acidhead
• boozehead
• chilihead

• cokehead
• crackhead
• dopehead

• hophead
• juicehead
• pothead

• shroomhead
• smackhead
• teahead
• weedhead

fan of something

• Beatlehead
• Deadhead
• jazzhead
• Machead

• metalhead
• Phishhead
• Ringhead
• Spreadhead

Anagrams

• DHEA, ahed, hade