a. and sb. (In earlier use as a personal name, e.g. Jon Hwitheaved (1332 in Lit. Cantuar., Rolls, I. 458).)

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  A.  adj. = WHITE-HEADED. rare.

2

1577.  Wolton, Cast. Christians, E viij. Graue and whyteheadde Fathers.

3

1870.  Morris, Earthly Par., III. IV. 162. White-head waves.

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  B.  sb. † 1. app. A white head-dress. Obs.

5

1587.  Acc. Mary Q. Scots (Camden), 31. Parys heades…. Whiteheades for gentlewoemen attendaunte uppon the mourners.

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  2.  A name for various species of birds having the head (wholly or partly) white: see quots.

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1686.  Blome, Gentl. Recreat., II. 37/1. Partridges; the first, when newly hatched, are called White-heads.

8

1885.  Encycl. Brit., XVIII. 52/2. Two other small birds from New Zealand, where they are known as the ‘Whitehead’ and ‘Yellow-head,’ were referred to the genus, under the names of O[rthonyx] albic[ap]illa and O. ochrocephala.

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  3.  A West Indian feverfew, Parthenium Hysterophorus.

10

1864.  Grisebach, Flora W. Ind. Isl., 788.

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