Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [hed awf, of]
- /hɛd ɔf, ɒf/
- /hed ɒf/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hed awf, of]
- /hɛd ɔf, ɒf/
Definitions of head off words
- noun head off the upper part of the body in humans, joined to the trunk by the neck, containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. 1
- noun head off the corresponding part of the body in other animals. 1
- noun head off the head considered as the center of the intellect, as of thought, memory, understanding, or emotional control; mind; brain: She has a good head for mathematics. Keep a cool head in an emergency. 1
- noun head off the position or place of leadership, greatest authority, or honor. 1
- noun head off a person to whom others are subordinate, as the director of an institution or the manager of a department; leader or chief. 1
- noun head off a person considered with reference to his or her mind, disposition, attributes, status, etc.: wise heads; crowned heads. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of head off
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English he(v)ed, Old English hēafod; cognate with Old High German houbit, Gothic haubith; akin to Old English hafud- (in hafudland headland), Old Norse hǫfuth, Latin caput (see capital1)
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Head off
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
head off popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
head off usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for head off
verb head off
- intercept — to take, seize, or halt (someone or something on the way from one place to another); cut off from an intended destination: to intercept a messenger.
- intervene — to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.
- stop — to cease from, leave off, or discontinue: to stop running.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
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