hair
• noun 1 any of the fine thread-like strands growing from the skin of mammals and other animals, or from the epidermis of a plant. 2 strands of hair collectively, especially on a person’s head. 3 a very small quantity or extent. — PHRASES hair of the dog informal an alcoholic drink taken to cure a hangover. from hair of the dog that bit you, formerly recommended as a remedy for the bite of a mad dog. a hair’s breadth a very small margin. in (or out of) someone’s hair informal burdening (or ceasing to burden) someone. keep your hair on! Brit. informal stay calm. let one’s hair down informal behave wildly or uninhibitedly. make someone’s hair stand on end alarm someone. not turn a hair remain apparently unmoved. split hairs make overfine distinctions. — DERIVATIVES haired adjective hairless adjective. — ORIGIN Old English.
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