The term is pretty problematic (the root of the word, "dread," certainly doesn't help, but more on that later) but the style remains one with cultural and historic significance. Word Origin from an unused word Definition long hair, locks NASB Translation locks (2). Definition and synonyms of lock from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. However they're formed, there's an art to ensuring they stay strong and healthy. The definition of “lock” is a piece (or pieces) of hair, and it has nothing to do with whether it’s rolled, latched, matted, or anything else. The most common question about locs tends to be: "Do you have to cut your hair off afterwards?" For decades, the term "dreadlocks" was used to describe the style in which hair falls into rope-like strands, made when the hair locks into itself. During the locking process, hair tangles, which causes the strands to coil around themselves into fused units. Here's how long it takes. Delivered to your inbox! Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). What does lock mean? short wool of inferior quality, as that obtained in small clumps from the legs. locks (Noun) Dreadlocks. lock definition: 1. a device that prevents something such as a door from being opened and can only be opened with a…. See the full definition for lock in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lock, Nglish: Translation of lock for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of lock for Arabic Speakers, Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lock. A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing. This is the British English definition of lock.View American English definition of lock. before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a, 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a, Middle English lok, from Old English locc; akin to Old High German loc lock, Greek lygos withe, Latin luxus dislocated, Middle English lok, from Old English loc; akin to Old High German loh enclosure and perhaps to Old English locc lock of hair. Waiting for your hair to loc? Dictionary Thesaurus Examples ... An example of dread is not washing or brushing your hair until it is matted and shaped into locks. Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: locks (Noun) A piece of hair. "They can be formed physically with: two-strand twists, interlocking, or the coil method.". Synonyms and related words Definition and synonyms of a lock of hair from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. She has styled hair for New York Fashion Week, is part of the team of stylists working on Rachel Ray Makeovers, and was awarded the 2017 Hairdresser at Heart Vidal Sassoon Advanced Scholarship. Dictionary ! NAS Exhaustive Concordance. View the pronunciation for lock. Locs allow for a range of possibilities in styling, including playing around with color. Del Sandeen is a contributing writer with over 20 years of experience in editorial. During the locking process, hair tangles, which causes the strands to coil around themselves into fused units. Some people simply stop combing through their hair in order to form "freeform" locs, which tend to vary greatly in size. 0. A contemporary way to say " dread locks" Many people that dislike the connotation that comes with dreadlocks have decided to call them locks instead. It also happens to be beautiful look, albeit one that's not always easy to create—or maintain, for that matter. In year seven of my loc growth, I have been introduced to my core essential products from Shea Moisture that keep my hair healthy and strong. A lock of hair is a small piece of hair - several strands kept together. Want to thank TFD for its existence? In Ancient Greece, kouros sculptures from the archaic period depict men wearing dreadlocks while Spartan hoplites wore formal locks as part of their battle dress. Whitney Hunt is a stylist at the Oscar Blandi Salon in New York and an image consultant. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Liz abandons her famous straight locks for a new wavy hairstyle. Hunt also recommends a few go-to products for preserving locs: This tropical-scented gel utilizes aloe vera, hempseed oil, and a mix of vitamins to tighten locs. Scalp lock definition is - a long tuft of hair on the crown of the otherwise shaved head especially of a warrior of some American Indian tribes. Hair-lock definition: a curl of the hair of the head | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples lock meaning: 1. a device that prevents something such as a door from being opened and can only be opened with a…. How to use lock in a sentence. locks, the hair of the head. n. (Hairdressing & Grooming) a curl of the hair of the head. I. Spartan magistrates known as Ephors also wore their hair braided in long locks, an Archaic Greek tradition that was steadily abandoned in other Greek kingdoms. “Lock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock. The definition of dread is extreme fear, or a single dreadlock. Accessed 23 Dec. 2020. Learn more. Many others prefer a more cultivated look, with neat, even partings throughout, and a uniform size to each unit. See more words with the same meaning: hair, facial hair . Cultivated locs can be started by coiling, braiding, twisting, or palm-rolling hair. Although the matter of who should wear locs is constantly up for debate, the style hasn't historically only been worn by people of African descent. Locs have a long history dating back at least as far as ancient Greece, and have been worn by people of various religions and cultures, including Hindus and ancient Israelites. Nigella Miller is a NYC-based natural hair and grooming expert with over 13 years of experience. Some people have locks of hair put into custom-built soft toys. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Learn more. "Locs go through a series of stages—typically five—but the forming process happens during phase two, which is called the buttoning stage," says Hunt. Some people simply stop combing through their hair in order to form "freeform" locs, which tend to vary greatly in size. After traveling months on ships with no hygiene available, it's unsurprising that their hair appeared matted and locked. For more on Hunt's tips—and to learn about the history of locs—keep reading. However, many loc wearers—check out novelist Tomi Adeyemi rocking a two-tone style, above—proudly call themselves "dreads," and debate the recorded history of the term dreadlocks. It takes several months for locs to grow from the baby stage to the more rooted teen stage, by which point they're "established." Change your default dictionary to American English. locks: [noun - uncountable] dreadlocks. locks in British English. A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section. 2. Menu. A lock of hair is a piece or pieces of hair that has been cut from, or remains singly on, a human head, most commonly bunched or tied together in some way. She has an expertise in natural hair and Black women's issues. Learn a new word every day. A standard dictionary definition defines a lock as a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair. It still manages to lock hair in place, though, reducing itching and keeping strands healthy and hydrated. a manwearing mane of awesome blonde hair. Collins English … a small piece of hair from someone’s head She cut off a lock of his hair and put it under her pillow. What made you want to look up lock? It's an alternative to salt-based sprays, which can actually damage locs and cause excess salt buildup. With the trans-Atlantic slave trade in full force during the 1600-1800s, Africans brought to America (and other places around the globe) were unable to perform their normal hair grooming practices, and therefore arrived looking unkempt. (lɒks) plural noun. We spoke to Whitney Hunt, stylist at Oscar Blandi Salon, for tips and products that help with maintaining locs. Rainbow hair for dayz ... Those luscious Rapunzel locks Coloured and styled by Mel. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, if sold, it greatly helps to reduce costs Gray hair may be sold to offset the manufacturing costs Because Locks of Love creates custom hairpieces for each child, we cannot use donations of wigs, falls, hair extensions or synthetic hair. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! The best way to maintain locs is to ensure they have a strong foundation. A lock of hair is a piece or pieces of hair that has been cut from, or remains singly on, a human head, most commonly bunched or tied together in some way. Typically, the tighter the natural curl pattern, the faster the hair will lock. a tuft, tress, or ringlet of hair; the hair of the head; a cohering bunch (as of wool, cotton, or flax) : tuft… Typically greasy, and pulled back into a ponytail. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. "Woah, do you see those golden locks?" "The foundation must be strong," notes Hunt. Women especially like this term. Your locks look really great! "I suggest growing out your hair naturally, versus using a perm, which can compromise the hair.". 30 Women of Color Share Their Most Personal Natural Hair Stories, The 13 Best Products That Real Women Use for Their Locs and Dreadlocks, 22 Corporate Women Share What Wearing Their Natural Hair to Work Means, A Simplified Guide to the 5 Different Stages of Locs, Decolonizing Afro-Textured Hair: 5 Affirmations to Boost Your Hair-Esteem. He's making a quiz, and checking it twice... Test your knowledge of the words of the year. Definition: long hair, locks. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? It's a common belief that locs are too tightly entwined to undo. During the baby loc stage, hair is starting to go through a process called budding. A standard dictionary definition defines a lock as a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair (dictionary.com). Lock definition is - a tuft, tress, or ringlet of hair. Regardless of how anyone tries to dress it up, I agree with the person who said that the word “dread” or “dreadful” has a negative connotation (and denotation) in and of itself. 3. 0. Many others prefer a more cultivated look, with neat, even partings throughout, and a uniform size to each unit. On May 3, 2019 I decided to loc my hair. People with tightly curled hair may begin their locs with simple palm rolling, while someone with a looser texture may have to braid their hair to begin locs. LOCKS. It's designed for both those maintaining their locs, and those just starting them out. It's said that slave owners referred to the "dreadful" sight of the captives, thus the term "dreadlocks" and its negative association. Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014. women with long, wavy locks. Shakespeare is the oldest English language reference to elf-locks and even his use of the term implies hair that is ill-kept and possible a person of questionable sanity. noun (used with a plural verb) a hairstyle, especially among Rastafarians, in which the hair is worn in long, ropelike locks. According to natural hair guru Patricia Gaines, hair goes through five stages during the locking process: starter locs, baby locs, teenaged locs, mature locs and rooted locs. This ultra-moisturizing gel contains olive and sweet almond oil, so it won't dry hair out. The unlocking process will take anywhere from hours to days, and if the hair has been in a locked state for a very long time (say, decades), it just may not be possible. You may have years of shed hairs to deal with. This is definitely the easier path, although combing the locs out is possible. Regardless, that doesn't mean it's appropriate for people of all cultures to wear locs, particularly without respect to the more recent history of the style. verb. ... build locks in order to facilitate the navigation of vessels. Deciding to lock your hair is a huge decision, not to mention permanent one. Brown-Driver-Briggs. Loc-wearers can be incredibly creative, incorporating hair jewelry and shells into their styles as well. Meaning of lock. Loved by all might have a best friend who also wears such things. Webster Dictionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: Lock (noun) a tuft of hair; a flock or small quantity of wool, hay, or other like substance; a tress or ringlet of hair. hair-lock. If you're unlocking your hair, invest in a dustpan and broom, or a vacuum cleaner. (1) The first word, tsitsith, means really a tassel, such as is worn by the Jews on the four corners of the prayer-shawl or Tallith and on the 'arba` kanephoth (Deuteronomy 22:12), translated in the New Testament by kraspedon (Matthew 9:20; 14:36; 23:5; Mark 6:56; Luke 8:44). hair, esp when curly or fine. By using Byrdie, you accept our. LONG LOCKS OF HAIR 'LONG LOCKS OF HAIR' is a 15 letter phrase starting with L and ending with R Crossword clues for 'LONG LOCKS OF HAIR' Instead of "dread" being used in a negative way, dreads will instead relay the respectful meaning of the term, along with how it's used in certain parts of the world to denote spirituality. They can be formed in braids, twists, set on rollers, put into updos, cut into shorter lengths and more. Definition of lock in the Definitions.net dictionary. the person who has golden locks most likely has an iron maiden shirt and a green army jacket. Budding is when the hair … It is particularly used to refer to hair that has been removed from a person's head, and might be kept in a locket or other keepsake. loks ((1) tsitsith, (2) pera'; (3) machlaphah, (4) qewutstsah): See in general the article on HAIR. There is nothing … Why Did You Decide to Loc Your Natural Hair? LONG LOCKS OF HAIR 'LONG LOCKS OF HAIR' is a 15 letter phrase starting with L and ending with R Crossword clues for 'LONG LOCKS OF HAIR' Expect a lot of shed hair if you choose to unlock, however, because almost all the hair that normally falls on a daily basis is captured in the locs. 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