whisker

Main Entry:: whis·ker
Pronunciation:: \ˈhwis-kər, ˈwis-\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: singular of whiskers mustache, from ²whisk
Date:: circa 1600

1 a: a hair of the beard bplural (1)archaic : mustache (2): the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin c: hairbreadth <lost the race by a whisker>2: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or bird)3: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys —usually used in plural4 a: a shred or filament resembling a whisker b: a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material

— whis·kered

\-kərd\ adjective

— whis·kery

\-k(ə-)rē\ adjective

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