one-headed
|one-head-ed|
/ˌwʌnˈhɛdɪd/
having a single head
Etymology
'one-headed' is a compound formed from the Old English word 'ān' (meaning 'one') and 'head' plus the adjectival/post‑participial suffix '-ed'.
'one' originates from Old English 'ān' and 'head' originates from Old English 'hēafod'; the modern compound 'one-headed' arose by combining the numeral with the past-participle/adj. form 'headed' in Middle to Modern English.
Initially built simply as a descriptive compound meaning 'having one head'; it has retained that literal sense and has also been used figuratively to mean 'having a single leader or source'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having a single head; composed of or bearing one head (literal, biological or physical description).
The fossil was clearly one-headed, unlike some mythical multi-headed creatures.
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Adjective 2
figurative: having or controlled by a single leader or source of authority (used of organizations or groups).
The company remained one-headed under the founder's leadership, with decisions centralized.
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Last updated: 2025/09/15 21:10