Maned

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Having a prominent growth of hair resembling a mane, such as around the neck or head ; characterized by a distinctive crest or fringe of long hair, typically like that of a lion ; exhibiting a flowing or thick cluster of hair giving an impression of a mane
2. Describing an entity adorned with a thick, extended tuft or ruff of hair ; portraying a crowned or fringed aspect with elongated hair around a central area ; indicating a physical trait where hair forms a pronounced collar or border reminiscent of natural manes
3. Marked by a noticeable band or array of hair with a mane-like appearance ; signifying a hairy ridge or growth that encircles or trails down an area, often seen in animals ; denoting the presence of long, prominent hair forming a mane-like shape or feature

Etymology: "Maned" is simply "mane" with the suffix "-ed" added, so its history is the history of "mane" plus a common English ending. The suffix turns a noun into an adjective meaning "having" the thing named, the same way "bearded" or "winged" work. "Mane" itself comes from Old English "manu," which originally referred to the hair on the neck of a horse or other animal, and this sense has stayed remarkably stable for more than a thousand years. The word's figurative uses grew out of that literal image. Because a lion's mane forms a thick, flowing ruff around the head and neck, English speakers came to describe anything with a similar fringe or surrounding shock of hair, and by extension a crowned or bordered shape with elongated growth around a central area. The adjective therefore carries the picture of a natural collar, rather than hair on a head in general.

Synonyms: long-haired, flowing-haired

Antonyms: short-haired, bare-headed