Manhead

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An archaic word for the state of being a man, or of having the qualities expected of an adult male
2. Old-fashioned term denoting manhood, the condition of having reached adult male maturity and its character
3. A dated expression for the status, nature, or qualities that belong to a grown man

Etymology: "Manhead" is an obsolete spelling of "manhood," and the two share a plain construction: "man" with the suffix "-hood," a combining element that turns a noun into a word for a state, condition or period of being something. The suffix itself is the older and more interesting piece. It comes from the Old English "had," meaning rank, condition or state, which is also the source of "childhood," "priesthood" and "knighthood," so "manhood" is simply "the condition of being a man." The spelling "manhead" reflects an older pronunciation and an earlier form of the suffix. Middle English had "manhode" alongside "manhede," and the "-head" spelling persisted for a time before the "-hood" form became standard. The same process happened to other words built on "had," which is why the spelling variation looks odd to modern readers even though the meaning never changed. Related forms appear in neighbouring languages: Middle Dutch "manheit," Middle Low German "manheit," and German "Mannheit" all describe the same condition, showing that the word was built the same way across the Germanic-speaking world.