barrette n : a pin for holding women's hair in place

English

Alternative spellings

• barette

Pronunciation

• /bəˈrɛt/

Etymology

From barrette.

Noun

1. A clasp or clip for gathering and holding the hair.

See also

• hairclip
• hairpin
• hair-slide

French

Etymology

diminutive of barre

Noun

fr-noun m

1. barrette

Italian

Noun

barrette

1. Plural of barretta

A barrette (also called hair-slide in British English or a hair clip in Australian English ) is a clasp or pin--often appearing as shiny objects in little girls' hair--for holding hair in place, usually a woman's.

Barrettes are worn according to size, with small ones at the front and large ones in the back. They are used to keep hair out of the eyes but can also be just ornamental.