head-on, adv. and a. orig. U.S.
[head n.1 21 b.]
A. adv. (ˈhead-ˈon). With the head pointed directly towards or running full against or towards something. Also fig. B. adj. (ˈhead-on). Of a collision: involving the direct meeting of the fronts of two vehicles in the same track, or of the head of a vehicle with an object. Also fig.
| 1840 R. H. Dana 2 Yrs. bef. Mast ii. 15 The two vessels stood ‘head on’, bowing and curveting at each other. 1903 C. E. Merriman Lett. from Son 33 It's a case of head-on collision with your pride. 1904 N.Y. Evening Post 11 May 2 A head-on collision between north and southbound passenger trains. 1907 Westm. Gaz. 16 Sept. 5/2 New York, September 16.—A head-on collision between two passenger trains. 1916 H. Barber Aeroplane Speaks 46 Gliding just over the trees and head on to the wind. 1930 Daily Express 8 Sept. 1/3 When the vehicles collided head-on. 1932 Economist 20 Feb. 400/2 At the same time, a head-on collision between the chamber and the Senate is an unusual occurrence. 1952 Manch. Guardian Weekly 15 May 2 The General will here run head-on into the irony of the destiny he has chosen. 1954 J. Steinbeck Sweet Thursday 166 Despair and humour crashed head-on in Doc. 1957 Economist 9 Nov. 492/1 He is known to be working..to present foreign aid next year in a way that will meet head-on and in good time any indiscriminate renewal of the economy drive. 1958 E. L. Mascall Recovery of Unity i. 4 It shows directly how a head-on theological conflict can arise from the unquestioned assumption of a common premiss. 1961 Lancet 5 Aug. 325/1 The Government had a head-on collision with the medical profession in 1956. 1973 Listener 14 June 790/3 The coming of the Renaissance..was a head-on collision with the medieval system. |