Tress: meaning, definitions and examples

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tress

[trɛs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

forest

A tress is a long lock or curl of hair.

Synonyms

curl, lock, strand.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tress	Typically used in a poetic or romantic context to describe a woman's long, flowing hair. Her tresses flowed like a river of gold down her back. He gently tucked a loose tress behind her ear.
lock	Can be used in both a poetic and everyday context to describe a single piece of hair. This term is somewhat timeless and can be romantic. A single lock of his hair fell across his forehead. She wore a lock of hair tied with a ribbon.
curl	Appropriate for describing hair that is coiled or wavy. Commonly used in everyday conversation. She has natural curls that she loves to show off. John admired the curls in her hair.
strand	Often used in a more technical or neutral context to describe a thin piece of hair. It can also suggest fragility or singularity. She pulled a strand of hair from her brush. A single strand of silver hair stood out among the black.

Examples of usage

She had beautiful tresses that flowed down her back.
He admired the way she styled her tresses.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

weaving

A tress is a strand of yarn or thread used in weaving.

Synonyms

strand, thread, yarn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tress	Appearing twice in the input, this word has already been described under the first entry and likely included in error. No new context or examples needed. She let her golden tresses fall over her shoulders The princess had long, flowing tresses
strand	Used to talk about a single piece of hair or fiber. Can also refer to a theme or element in a narrative. She found a strand of hair on her jacket The book weaved together many fascinating strands of story
thread	Describes a thin strand of fiber for sewing. Also used metaphorically for a continuous line of thought or conversation. She threaded the needle carefully The thread of his argument was difficult to follow
yarn	Primarily refers to spun thread used for knitting or weaving. Informally, can mean a long, rambling story, sometimes exaggerated. She bought some colorful yarn for her new knitting project Grandpa spun a wild yarn about his adventures at sea

Examples of usage

She carefully selected the colorful tresses for her weaving project.
The tress broke while she was weaving the fabric.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'tress' comes from the Latin word 'trichis' meaning hair, showing its ancient roots in hair-related terms.
In Middle English, the term evolved from 'tresse', which meant to braid or twist hair.
Interestingly, the term has been associated with the notion of beauty and femininity throughout history.

Literature

Tresses are often used symbolically in literature to represent beauty and longing, as seen in classic poetry.
In Shakespeare's works, characters frequently reference tresses in sonnets to convey deep emotions about love.
Myths and fairy tales sometimes feature magical hair, emphasizing its importance as a tool for enchantment and allure.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, long hair is a symbol of strength and identity, often connected to traditions and spiritual beliefs.
Certain Indigenous tribes have unique hairstyles for different life stages, with each tress carrying cultural significance.
During the Renaissance, elaborate hairstyles and tresses became a fashion statement, showcasing one’s social status.

Psychology

Hair care and hairstyles can significantly influence personal identity and self-esteem, impacting how individuals perceive themselves.
The act of styling or arranging one’s tresses can be a form of self-expression and creativity, contributing to mental well-being.
Hair length and styling choices can reveal a lot about cultural affiliations and personal beliefs.

Fashion

In fashion, tresses are often adorned with accessories like ribbons or flowers to complement clothing styles.
The runway frequently showcases intricate hairstyles involving tresses, becoming a critical part of designer presentations.
Hair trends, including those involving tresses, evolve with time, influencing what is considered fashionable in different eras.

Translations

Translations of the word "tress" in other languages:

🇵🇹 тресса

🇮🇳 लट

🇩🇪 Zopf

🇮🇩 kepang

🇺🇦 треса

🇵🇱 warkocz

🇯🇵 編み込み

🇫🇷 tresse

🇪🇸 trenza

🇹🇷 örgü

🇰🇷 땋은 머리

🇸🇦 ضفيرة

🇨🇿 cop

🇸🇰 vrkoč

🇨🇳 辫子

🇸🇮 kita

🇮🇸 flétta

🇰🇿 өрім

🇬🇪 წნული

🇦🇿 hörük

🇲🇽 trenza

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,762, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
29759 recuperative
29760 slicked
29761 connived
29762 tress
29763 marsupial
29764 flaxen
29765 hexameter
...