... build locks in order to facilitate the navigation of vessels. Hair-lock definition: a curl of the hair of the head | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Some people have locks of hair put into custom-built soft toys. Women especially like this term. "They can be formed physically with: two-strand twists, interlocking, or the coil method.". During the locking process, hair tangles, which causes the strands to coil around themselves into fused units. hair, esp when curly or fine. 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. Typically greasy, and pulled back into a ponytail. Lock definition is - a tuft, tress, or ringlet of hair. It's said that slave owners referred to the "dreadful" sight of the captives, thus the term "dreadlocks" and its negative association. This is definitely the easier path, although combing the locs out is possible. Cultivated locs can be started by coiling, braiding, twisting, or palm-rolling hair. During the locking process, hair tangles, which causes the strands to coil around themselves into fused units. 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. 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. 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. Change your default dictionary to American English. 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. 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. The most common question about locs tends to be: "Do you have to cut your hair off afterwards?" (lɒks) plural noun. A standard dictionary definition defines a lock as a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair (dictionary.com). 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. Some people simply stop combing through their hair in order to form "freeform" locs, which tend to vary greatly in size. Learn a new word every day. Waiting for your hair to loc? Brown-Driver-Briggs. 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. During the baby loc stage, hair is starting to go through a process called budding. 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. They can be formed in braids, twists, set on rollers, put into updos, cut into shorter lengths and more. LOCKS. n. (Hairdressing & Grooming) a curl of the hair of the head. 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. lock definition: 1. a device that prevents something such as a door from being opened and can only be opened with a…. a tuft, tress, or ringlet of hair; the hair of the head; a cohering bunch (as of wool, cotton, or flax) : tuft… "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. A lock of hair is a small piece of hair - several strands kept together. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Your locks look really great! It's a common belief that locs are too tightly entwined to undo. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Meaning of lock. Liz abandons her famous straight locks for a new wavy hairstyle. 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. Loved by all might have a best friend who also wears such things. After traveling months on ships with no hygiene available, it's unsurprising that their hair appeared matted and locked. View the pronunciation for lock. the person who has golden locks most likely has an iron maiden shirt and a green army jacket. It takes several months for locs to grow from the baby stage to the more rooted teen stage, by which point they're "established." It also happens to be beautiful look, albeit one that's not always easy to create—or maintain, for that matter. 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. 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. Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: locks (Noun) A piece of hair. 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. "I suggest growing out your hair naturally, versus using a perm, which can compromise the hair.". locks (Noun) Dreadlocks. 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. NAS Exhaustive Concordance. We spoke to Whitney Hunt, stylist at Oscar Blandi Salon, for tips and products that help with maintaining locs. I. You may have years of shed hairs to deal with. Dictionary Thesaurus Examples ... An example of dread is not washing or brushing your hair until it is matted and shaped into locks. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! I Bleached My Natural Hair to a "Honey Blonde" Shade at Home—Here's How, A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Bantu Knots, 25 Short Natural Hairstyles to Inspire Your Next Look, Cool Down With These Short Haircuts for Men, 35 Beautiful Bob Hairstyles for Natural Hair, 21 Stunning Hairstyles for Natural Hair of All Lengths, 6 Black-Owned Wig and Extension Brands You Need to Know, So You're Considering Sisterlocks—Here's What You Should Know, This Virtual Art Exhibit Showcases the Rich Beauty of Black Hair—Watch It for Free, How to Strengthen and Condition Your Edges: A Complete Guide, Byrdie uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. 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. The best way to maintain locs is to ensure they have a strong foundation. a small piece of hair from someone’s head She cut off a lock of his hair and put it under her pillow. She has an expertise in natural hair and Black women's issues. Delivered to your inbox! 2. Why Did You Decide to Loc Your Natural Hair? locks: [noun - uncountable] dreadlocks. 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' 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? 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. Many others prefer a more cultivated look, with neat, even partings throughout, and a uniform size to each unit. This ultra-moisturizing gel contains olive and sweet almond oil, so it won't dry hair out. 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. women with long, wavy locks. Budding is when the hair … For more on Hunt's tips—and to learn about the history of locs—keep reading. a manwearing mane of awesome blonde hair. Here's how long it takes. There is nothing … 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. Some people simply stop combing through their hair in order to form "freeform" locs, which tend to vary greatly in size. Learn more. "Woah, do you see those golden locks?" By using Byrdie, you accept our. Collins English … It's an alternative to salt-based sprays, which can actually damage locs and cause excess salt buildup. Definition and synonyms of lock from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. 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. A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing. What made you want to look up lock? However they're formed, there's an art to ensuring they stay strong and healthy. 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. Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014. 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. Lanolin and shea butters ensure this cream (an alternative to dread wax) holds hair but never dries strands out. See more words with the same meaning: hair, facial hair . locks, the hair of the head. How to use lock in a sentence. Whitney Hunt is a stylist at the Oscar Blandi Salon in New York and an image consultant. Typically, the tighter the natural curl pattern, the faster the hair will lock. 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. Definition: long hair, locks. Want to thank TFD for its existence? "The foundation must be strong," notes Hunt. A standard dictionary definition defines a lock as a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair. Word Origin from an unused word Definition long hair, locks NASB Translation locks (2). “Lock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lock. Nigella Miller is a NYC-based natural hair and grooming expert with over 13 years of experience. Definition of lock in the Definitions.net dictionary. 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. loks ((1) tsitsith, (2) pera'; (3) machlaphah, (4) qewutstsah): See in general the article on HAIR. verb. Synonyms and related words Definition and synonyms of a lock of hair from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. Del Sandeen is a contributing writer with over 20 years of experience in editorial. A contemporary way to say " dread locks" Many people that dislike the connotation that comes with dreadlocks have decided to call them locks instead. short wool of inferior quality, as that obtained in small clumps from the legs. 0. Menu. Learn more. 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. The definition of dread is extreme fear, or a single dreadlock. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Accessed 23 Dec. 2020. 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. hair-lock. Many others prefer a more cultivated look, with neat, even partings throughout, and a uniform size to each unit. (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). 3. lock meaning: 1. a device that prevents something such as a door from being opened and can only be opened with a…. 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. It still manages to lock hair in place, though, reducing itching and keeping strands healthy and hydrated. It's designed for both those maintaining their locs, and those just starting them out. He's making a quiz, and checking it twice... Test your knowledge of the words of the year. 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. 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