head-gear
(ˈhɛdgɪə(r))
1. That which is worn on the head; a hat, cap, bonnet, or head-dress of any kind.
| 1539 Inv. R. Wardrobe (1815) 53 (Jam.) Item, ten heid geiris of fedderis for hors. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. iii. ii. iii. iii, Glittering attires, counterfeit colours, headgears, curled hairs. 1729 Somerville Ep. to Ramsay 65 In her tartan plaid And all her richest headgear trimly clad. 1875 J. H. Bennet Winter Medit. i. iii. (ed. 5) 76 The peculiar headgear used in India as a protection against the sun. 1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridge I. iii. 47 His headgear—a billy-cock-hat. |
2. The parts of the harness about a horse's head.
| 1875 Knight Dict. Mech., Head-gear, the bridle of a horse. The head-stall and bit. |
3. Mining. Apparatus at the head of a shaft. (See also quot. 1881.)
| 1841 Collieries & Coal Trade (ed. 2) 200 The erection of head-gear will depend much..upon the description of machinery to be employed. 1875 R. F. Martin tr. Havrez Winding Mach. 97 An iron head gear consisting of two vertical lattice girder legs and two struts. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., Head-gear, that part of deep-boring apparatus which remains at the surface. |
4. The rigging on the fore part of a vessel.