Niggerhead

noun, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A bollard made from an old cannon. countable, dated, offensive, uncountable
  2. 2
    A geode. archaic, colloquial, countable, offensive, uncountable
  3. 3
    A coneflower. countable, offensive, uncountable
  4. 4
    A coral or stone outcrop that stands above the surface of the water. countable, offensive, uncountable

    "We were sailing swiftly along on a calm and glassy sea, past beautiful headlands and bits of scenery clothed with vivid and luxuriant green down to the water's edge; past glistening coral islands, on whose outer edges pale green billows broke on the white sandy beaches, boiling and seething as they dashed against a row of ugly "nigger heads," as the rocks were called, dotted here and there."

  5. 5
    A tussock (clump of plant material), found on the tundra. US, countable, dated, offensive, uncountable

    "These plants fill the interstices between the grasses and tiny shrubs that make the outer, fuller form of the niggerhead."

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  1. 6
    A strong black variety of chewing tobacco, usually in twisted plug form. archaic, countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    A stone, piece of gangue, or lump of coal that is of a grade with a certain size. archaic, countable, dialectal, offensive, uncountable

    "The boys picked up field-stones and built a great, splendid fireplace and chimney at one end of the shop. The work came out so well that I said: "Boys, here is a great scheme—these hardheads are splendid building-material." So we advertised we would pay a dollar a load for niggerheads. The farmers began to haul stones; and at last they had hauled eighteen hundred loads."

  3. 8
    A term of abuse for a black person. countable, derogatory, ethnic, offensive, slur, uncountable, vulgar

Etymology

From nigger + head, reflecting a supposed resemblance to a black person's head.

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