redhead
UK[ˈrɛdhɛd]US[ˈrɛdˌhɛd]
n
A person, especially a woman or girl, with red hair.
Morpheme Breakdown
red
head
red
color
head
body part
Etymology
The word "redhead" is a transparent compound formed from two native English words. "Red" traces back to the Proto-Germanic raudaz, itself from the Proto-Indo-European root h₁rewdʰ-, meaning "red" or "ruddy." "Head" descends from Proto-Germanic haubudą, from the PIE root kaput-, meaning "head." The compound logically and literally describes a person characterized by having red hair on their head. Its specific application to a person, rather than a literal red-colored head, is a classic example of semantic narrowing and metonymy, where a prominent physical feature comes to stand for the individual possessing it.
Analysis
Structure: red (color) + head (body part)
- red: From Old English rēad, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch rood and German rot. Functions as an adjective describing a color.
- head: From Old English hēafod, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoofd and German Haupt. Functions as a noun referring to the upper part of the human body.
Examples
The famous painting often features a young redhead with a mysterious smile.
It's a common stereotype that redheads have a fiery temper.
She was the only redhead in her family, her siblings all having dark brown hair.