hammerhead
Meaning
a type of shark with a wide, flat head that extends sideways with an eye at each end.
a person who is stupid or stubborn.
the striking part of a hammer.
Structure
Usage
the great hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead shark.
don't be such a hammerhead and listen to the instructions.
he replaced the worn hammerhead with a new, heavier one.
Etymology
the compound word 'hammerhead' is a straightforward combination of two old english nouns, 'hammer' and 'head'. it first emerged in the late 16th century, initially referring literally to the striking part of a hammer. by the early 18th century, its use expanded metaphorically to describe a person perceived as dull or obstinate, likening their intellect to a blunt tool. the most specific modern application, for the distinctive shark, arose in the late 18th century, directly describing the creature's unique, hammer-shaped cephalofoil.
Analysis
hammer (old english 'hamor', meaning a tool for striking); head (old english 'hēafod', meaning the upper part of the body).