-head

See also: head and Head

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English -hed, -hede, attested from the 12th century, continuing a hypothetical Old English *-hǣdu (“-hood”), from Proto-Germanic *haidį̄ (“state, condition”), related to Proto-Germanic *haiduz (“manner, character, quality, state”) (cognate with German -heit, Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌹𐌳𐌿𐍃 (haidus)). Originally restricted to adjectives, the suffix began to be attached to nouns as well from at least the 15th century, leading to confusion with the -hood suffix (Old English -hād), and finally to the wide replacement of -head by -hood even in adjectives.

Suffix

-head

2. Used to create nouns indicating a state; -hood.

Derived terms

English terms suffixed with -head (abstract noun)

See also

• -ness
• -itas

Etymology 2

Combining form of the noun head.

Suffix

-head

1. (sometimes derogatory) Used to form words for people who regularly have their mind focused upon a particular subject, activity, or a specified drug or other substance, or who are addicted in some way.

   ‎motor + ‎-head → ‎motorhead

   ‎pot + ‎-head → ‎pothead

2. Used to form words to describe people who are dedicated fans of something, especially music.

   ‎jazz + ‎-head → ‎jazzhead

   ‎metal + ‎-head → ‎metalhead

   ‎Beatle + ‎-head → ‎Beatlehead

3. (derogatory) Used with other words to form generic insults or epithets to indicate stupidity.

   ‎block + ‎-head → ‎blockhead

   ‎shit + ‎-head → ‎shithead

   ‎geek + ‎-head → ‎geekhead

Derived terms

English terms suffixed with -head

substance user

• acidhead
• boozehead
• chilihead
• cokehead
• crackhead
• dopehead
• hophead
• juicehead
• pisshead
• pothead
• shroomhead
• smackhead
• teahead
• weedhead

fan of something

• Beatlehead
• Deadhead
• jazzhead
• Machead
• metalhead
• Phishhead
• Ringhead
• Spreadhead

Anagrams

• DHEA, ahed, hade