high-headedadj.
/ˌhʌɪˈhɛdᵻd/, U.S. /ˈˌhaɪˈhɛdəd/ 1. Having a high top or head; spec. (of a tree) having a high crown of foliage (cf. low-headed adj. 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [adjective] > of or relating to tree-tops > having particular type of tree-top
high-headed1562
low-headed1738
stag-headed1770
mushroom-headed1832
stag-horned1853
heavy-headed1886
stagged1891
1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. sig. Cc iij Hyheaded..like two great okes by Padus banks.
1633 J. Hart Κλινικη ii. iii. 152 A high headed bed, such as is now in greatest request..are the best for the use of the sicke.
1707 J. Blanch Interest Great Brit. Consider'd 27 She brought in high-headed Attire pick'd with Horns.
1763 D. Bourn Treat. Wheel-carriages 6 Three streaks abreast put on with high headed nails.
a1837 A. Stewart Poet. Remains (1838) 81 Now high-headed Alps an' dark seas divide them.
1888 Rep. Fruit Growers' Assoc. Ont. 1887 26 The stem of a high headed tree is exposed to the sun.
1910 C. D. Jarvis Apple Growing in New Eng. 76 In earlier plantings, high-headed nursery stock was commonly used.
1958 P. Pearse Plays, Stories, Poems 304 Looking on..green-topped woods, and on high-headed reeks.
2008 G. Smith DogFellow's Ghost 238 There is nothing to see, except the high-headed waves of the Pacific running hard against the shore.
2. Proud, arrogant; (also) obstinate. Cf. to hold one's head high at hold v. 30a. Chiefly U.S. in later use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > [adjective]
highOE
rankOE
proudOE
quaint?c1225
stoutc1315
proud-heartedc1400
gobbedc1440
pridyc1485
high-minded?1503
superb1561
proud-heart1591
tiptoe1593
sublime1596
high-headed1599
magnificent1603
side1673
vaunty1724
perked-up1754
spicy1768
jelly1828
Latin1914
1599 R. Rollock Certaine Serm. vi. 143 Ane heich heided chylde that is puffed vp with the pride of nature.
1760 tr. J. F. Bernard Praise of Hell I. xvii. 174 You would laugh very heartily..was you but to see our high-headed gentry..put to their trumps how to get their bread.
1778 G. L. Way Learning at Loss II. 95 The knock-ye-down Argument, Sir, which will humble the most high-headed Adversary.
1837 Southern Literary Messenger 3 86 One of them high-headed Roanoke planters.
1875 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie's Wallet v. 131 Awa wi' your high-headed, cauld-hearted wretches, wha think shame to own their humble origin.
1909 R. A. Wason Happy Hawkins i. 10 The most obstinate, high-headed, bull-intellected thin-skin 'at ever drew down top wages fer punchin' cows.
1994 R. Hendrickson Happy Trails 123 Is that what made you so damn high-headed?
3. Of a person or animal: holding the head high. Also of a gait, etc.: characterized by this posture. Cf. low-headed adj. 2.
ΚΠ
1761 London Chron. 1 Dec. 533/1 The thin-maned, high-headed, strong-hoofed, fleet, bounding son of the hill.
1848 J. Grant Adventures Aide-de-camp I. viii. 106 His horse..showed its inferiority of breed when compared with my high-headed, bold-eyed, and bluff-chested charger.
1877 F. Schley Amer. Partridge & Pheasant Shooting 206 As the scent naturally rises,..a high-headed dog can wind a bird much farther than the low-headed one that follows by foot trail.
1903 W. B. Yeats In Seven Woods 43 That high-headed even-walking queen.
1955 W. W. Denlinger Compl. Boston 112 A dog cannot display a high-headed style without well laid back shoulders.
1992 F. McWhorter & J. R. Erickson Horse Fixin’ iii. 57 What makes a high headed horse is jerking on his mouth from a loose rein.
2010 J. Blatchley Adjacent to Argonauts viii. 197 The fan-club got a moderate chuckle out of Malcolm's high-headed, spasmodic dog-paddle.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
adj.1562