▪ I. ˈhead-rail1
1. One of the rails at the head of a ship.
| 1823 in Crabb Technol. Dict. c 1850 Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 123 Head-rails, those rails in the head which extend from the back of the figure to the cat-head and bow, and which are not only ornamental to the frame, but useful to that part of the ship. |
2. The upper horizontal piece of a door-frame.
| 1874 Tolhausen Technol. Dict., Head-rail, linteau en cloison. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. |
3. Usu. in pl. Teeth. slang.
| 1785 Grose Dict. Vulg. T., Head rails, teeth; sea phrase. 1854 ‘C. Bede’ Verdant Green ii. iv. 31 Your head-rails were loosened there, wasn't they? 1935 A. J. Pollock Underworld Speaks 52/1 Head rails, the teeth. |
▪ II. ˈhead-rail2 Obs. exc. Hist.
[OE. héafodhræᵹl (Sweet), f. héafod head + hræᵹl garment, dress.]
The kerchief or head-dress of women in Old English times.
| 1834 J. R. Planché Brit. Costume 35 The head-dress of all classes is a veil or long piece of linen or silk wrapped round the head and neck..The Saxon name for it appears to have been hæfodes rægel (head-rail) or wæfles. 1860 Fairholt Costume Eng. (ed. 2) 43 The hood, coverchief, or head-rail (the latter being the genuine Saxon name). |