† Moor's-head Obs.
Also moor-head.
[f. Moor n.2 + head n.1]
1. A representation of the head of a Moor; spec. in Her. (see quot. 1780).
| 1673 Ray Journ. Low C. 487 Vpon many of the pillars are Moors heads carved in the stone, and one or two with turbants on. 1722 Nisbet Syst. Her. 267 John Moir of Stonniewood, Argent, three Moors Heads couped, distilling Drops of Blood proper. 1780 Edmondson Heraldry II. Gloss., Moor's Head..the head of a black, or negro-man, placed in profile, couped at the neck, wreathed about the temples, ar. and az. and having a pearl pendent at his ear. 1847 Gloss. Heraldry 160 Moor's or Blackamoor's head, |
2. (See quots.) Cf. F. téte-de-More.
| 1677 tr. Glaser's Compl. Chem. 31 The Brass Vesica, with its Refrigeratory, or Moors head. 1678 Salmon New Lond. Dispensatory 816 Of the cover of the Vesica, or Moors-head. It is made of Brass, having a Neck six Inches deep [etc.]. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Moors-head, a Copper cap, tinn'd on the inside, and made like a Head, to be set over the Chimney of a Reverberating Furnace; Also the Head of a Copper or Glass-still, which is luted on the Body, having a Beak, Nose, or Pipe, to let the raised Spirit run down into the Receiver. 1712 tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 8 Put green Anniseeds..in a Glass Cucurbit, which cover with its Moor-Head. 1844 T. Webster Encycl. Dom. Econ. 1045 The Moor's head is another form of still that has been used, and is found convenient for distillation on a small scale. |
3. (See quots.) Cf. F. cheval teste de more (Cotgr.).
| 1660 Howell Voc. ii, A horse that hath his head darker then his body, called the Moors head. 1726 W. Gibson Diet. Horses (ed. 2) 212 The Roan well mark'd, or with a More's Head. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., More's-head, in the manege, implies the colour of a Roan horse, who besides the mixture or blending of a grey and a bay, has a black head. |