Eyelashes
/ˈaɪˌlæʃɪz/noun
The short hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelids.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, eyelashes were believed to protect the eyes from evil spirits and were associated with beauty and divine favor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lēgʰ-
“to bind or tie, related to hair and fibers.”
Old English
OE
ēaga
“eye, referring directly to the organ of sight.”
Old English
OE
læsc
“the fringe of hair, specifically at the eyelid.”
Middle English
ME
eyelash
“the hair growing on the eyelids, often considered for its beauty.”
Modern English
English
eyelashes
“the hair at the edges of the eyelids, now associated with aesthetic enhancement.”