whisker

English

/ʍɪskə(ɹ)/

noun
Definitions
  • That part of the beard which grows upon the sides of the face, usually of the male, or upon the chin, or upon both.
  • A hair of the beard.
  • One of the long, projecting hairs growing at the sides of the mouth of a cat, or other animal.
  • (colloquial) The (very small) distance between two things.
  • (nautical) Spreaders from the bows to spread the bowsprit shrouds.
  • (statistics) A graphic element that shows the maxima and minima in a box plot.
  • One who, or that which, whisks, or moves with a quick, sweeping motion.
  • (metallurgy) A small tendril that forms on metal.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English wisker affix from English whisk.

Origin

English

whisk

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms