head
UK[hɛd]US[hɛd]
n
The upper part of the human body, or the front or top part of an animal's body, containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.
n
A person in charge of a group, organization, or activity; a leader or director.
v
To be at the front or top of something; to lead or be in charge of.
v
To move in a specified direction.
Etymology
The word 'head' originates from the Old English 'hēafod', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'haubudą'. This term has cognates across Germanic languages, such as German 'Haupt' and Dutch 'hoofd'. The Proto-Germanic form is believed to have descended from the Proto-Indo-European root 'kaput-', which also meant 'head'. This ancient root's journey through sound shifts from PIE to Proto-Germanic and finally to Old English illustrates a direct and stable semantic lineage, with the core concept of the anatomical head and, by extension, leadership or the top part of something, remaining remarkably consistent for millennia.
Analysis
The word 'head' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a complete lexical root.
Examples
She nodded her head in agreement.
He was appointed head of the department last year.
The committee is heading towards a final decision.