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A 'head word' is the word that begins an entry in a dictionary or other reference work; also called an entry word or main entry. Think of it like the title of a chapter in a book. It is the word being defined, explained, or described. The head word acts as the primary focus for the information that follows. It is like the subject of a sentence. In a dictionary, it's the word in bold. If you are looking up 'serendipity,' that's the head word.
'Head' comes from Old English, meaning 'top' or 'chief.' 'Word,' also from Old English, refers to a unit of language. Together, 'head word' literally means the chief word or the word at the top. The term emphasizes its position as the leading or primary term in an entry.
Imagine you are reading 'The Hobbit'. The head word is like the name of each chapter, such as 'An Unexpected Party' or 'Riddles in the Dark.' These titles introduce what the chapter will be about. Similarly, head words introduce what a dictionary entry will define.
Next time you use a dictionary, pay attention to the head words. 👀 Understanding their role will make you a more efficient researcher. Keep expanding your vocabulary! 🧠
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