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 b plural (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 plural
4 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