A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead. This hair anomaly is a result of a lower-than-usual position of the intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.
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A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead;[1] it is a dominant inherited trait,[2] and typically does not skip generations.[3] There are varying degrees of the peak.[3] People who don't have a widow's peak have a hairline that is truly straight across, almost like following a circle or almost like a curved line.[3]
The term stems from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead – suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood – is an omen of early widowhood.[4] The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833.[5] The expression widow's peak dates from 1849.[5] The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly the distinctive hood with a pointed piece in front – a biquoquet[6] – which widows wore as a hood of mourning dating from 1530.[5] Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century. A mourning cap or Mary Stuart Cap is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak. The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears in Alexander Barclay’s The Shyp of Folys:
And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.[7]
The widow's peak hair anomaly is interpreted as being the result of a lower-than-usual position of intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.[8] This can occur because the periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression are smaller than usual, or because they are widely spaced.[8] Wide spacing also explains the association between ocular hypertelorism and widow's peak;[8] this was suggested by findings in an unusual case of ocular hypertelorism in which surrounding scalp-hair growth was suppressed by an ectopic (displaced) eye.[9]
A number of fictional people have a widow's peak.[10] In stories and on film this trait is often associated with a villain;[11] Count Dracula is an example.[10] Eddie Munster – from the television program "The Munsters" – also had this distinctive hairline.[10] Another villain depicted as having widow's peak hair is The Joker from "Batman" comic books and films.[10] Hannibal Lecter is described as having one in the novels that feature his story.[10] Villainous Natasha Fatale from "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" has a widow's peak.[12]