horsehair

noun

horse·​hair ˈhȯrs-ˌher How to pronounce horsehair (audio)
1
: the hair of a horse especially from the mane or tail
2
: cloth made from horsehair

Examples of horsehair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web WATCH Out of Quito and into Ecuador's Wild Monty Lewis is one of just five craftspeople in the UK who still makes traditional dress sporrans using goat hide and horsehair. Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2023 Natural bristles: Brooms with natural bristles, typically made from materials like corn or horsehair, are softer and more delicate. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2023 Stored for a period, prior to shredding, having been twisted into ropes to make each individual strand coiled and springy, horsehair also affords those lying horizontal on top of it a feeling of floating whilst being completely, and evenly, supported. Nick Scott, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2023 Most manufacturers recommend cleaning off the grates with a nylon or horsehair brush. Bradley Ford, Popular Mechanics, 21 Apr. 2023 While most baskets have long been made from strong, fibrous materials, such as wood splints, runners, and cane, other materials such as horsehair, or metal wire can be used. Town & Country, 18 Apr. 2023 With deep smile lines, a long horsehair beard and bushy pompom eyebrows, another mask honors the form of Okina, a spirit who appears as an old man. Hannah Kirshner Bon Duke, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023 With the help of an interpreter, Nikola Vujnović, Parry would go from village to village and inquire at the tavern about the best local guslar—a bard who accompanied his recitation with a gusle, a single-stringed instrument made of maple wood, horsehair, and sheep or rabbit skin. Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 7 June 2021 On a recent visit, diners were offered buri (Japanese amberjack), ankimo (monkfish liver), kegani (horsehair crab), shirako (cod milt), and sayori (Japanese halfbeak). William Li, Town & Country, 20 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'horsehair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of horsehair was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near horsehair

Cite this Entry

“Horsehair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsehair. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

horsehair

noun
horse·​hair -ˌha(ə)r How to pronounce horsehair (audio)
-ˌhe(ə)r
1
: hair of a horse especially from the mane or tail
2
: cloth made from horsehair
horsehair adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on horsehair

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