dreadlocks
/ˈdɹɛdˌlɑks/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.62 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "The patient history may point to the use of tight hairstyles that put tension on the hair root or hair treatments that increase the vulnerability to traction-related damage. The physician should evaluate for a history of tight ponytails, buns, chignons, braids, twists, weaves, cornrows, dreadlocks, sisterlocks, and hair wefts in addition to the usage of religious hair coverings."
Etymology
Borrowed from Jamaican Creole dreadlocks, from dread (“of or relating to a dread”, adjective) (from dread (“(usually black) male member of the Rastafarian movement who wears his hair in dreadlocks”, noun), from English dread (“reverential or respectful fear; awe”), referring to the awe inspired by God) + English locks (plural of lock (“length or tuft of hair”)). The English word is analyzable as dread (“Rastafarian”, attributive) + locks.
Origin
- Source language: English
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈdɹɛdˌlɑks/
- British English: /ˈdɹɛdlɒks/