Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A small white alto-cumulus or cirro-cumulus cloud, of a round shape and compact texture: distinct from the clouds of the mackerel sky, which are thinner and of a paler tint, shading off to white on one side, but fading into the delicate blue of the sky on the other.
  • noun A negro: so called from the woolly hair of his head.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun Low A negro.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He got the woolly-head by the middle, and away he went, the poor devil, head, shoulders, and arms out of the water all the time, screeching in a heart-rending way.

    THE HEATHEN 2010

  • He got the woolly-head by the middle, and away he went, the poor devil, head, shoulders, and arms out of the water all the time, screeching in a heart-rending way.

    THE HEATHEN 2010

  • We droned along until the woolly-head marchers were again in sight.

    Decider Francis, Dick 1993

  • Little woolly-head clapped his hands and screamed.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 82, August, 1864 Various

  • When I'm on de one side de jump-high is on de oder; and if I go back widout one he'll cuss me for a d---- d stumbling woolly-head.

    Red-Tape and Pigeon-Hole Generals As Seen From the Ranks During a Campaign in the Army of the Potomac William H. Armstrong

  • He got the woolly-head by the middle, and away he went, the poor devil, head, shoulders, and arms out of the water all the time, screeching in a heart-rending way.

    South Sea Tales Jack London 1896

  • Freckle could see the old man now, with a tear poised on his tangled eyelashes, asking a farewell benediction from the front portico, upon himself departing, while every woolly-head was uncovered, and the whole assembled "property" had groaned "Amen" together.

    Bohemian Days Three American Tales George Alfred Townsend 1877

  • "Did you, Sam?" said Mr. Washington, putting the same question to another little woolly-head.

    The Farmer Boy, and How He Became Commander-In-Chief Morrison Heady 1872

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