hairbrush
UK[ˈheəbrʌʃ]US[ˈherbrʌʃ]
n
A brush used for arranging or smoothing a person's hair.
Morpheme Breakdown
hair
brush
hair
noun
brush
noun
Etymology
The word 'hairbrush' is a transparent English compound formed by combining two Old English and Old French-derived nouns. 'Hair', a word of ancient Germanic lineage tracing back to Proto-Germanic khēran, refers to the biological filaments. 'Brush', entering English from Old French after the Norman Conquest, originally described a tool made of bristles. The compound logically names the object by its primary function and target: a brush designed specifically for grooming hair. This pattern of creating precise, functional compound nouns is a hallmark of the Germanic layer of the English language.
Analysis
Structure: hair (noun) + brush (noun)
- hair: From Old English hǣr, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch haar and German Haar. Denotes the filaments growing from the skin of the head and body.
- brush: From Middle English brusshe, from Old French broisse, perhaps from Vulgar Latin bruscia. Denotes an implement with bristles used for grooming, cleaning, or painting.
Examples
She reached for her hairbrush to untangle the knots after the windy walk.
A good hairbrush can help distribute natural oils from the scalp to the ends of your hair.
He packed his toothbrush and hairbrush in his overnight bag.