Manes

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːneɪz/

Definitions

1. A flowing mass of hair or fur on the neck of certain animals, often associated with horses or lions
2. A symbolic representation of beauty or strength, particularly in the context of certain mammals
3. An adornment that serves as a distinguishing feature for specific species, contributing to their identity and allure

Etymology: The mane on a horse, lion or other animal shares its name with the spirits of the dead. In ancient Rome, "manes" referred to the souls of departed ancestors, who were honoured in household rites and thought to dwell beneath the earth. The Latin word was itself a euphemism, likely from an older adjective meaning "good" or "kind", so the dead were addressed with a flattering title. How the word moved from the underworld to the neck of a horse is not spelled out in the source, so the connection between the two senses is uncertain. What is clear is that English borrowed the Latin word and gave it the animal sense, which is the only one listed for the word in English today, where it refers to the long hair along an animal's neck.

Synonyms: hair, fur, tresses