guard hair

noun

guard hair

any of the coarse hairs that form the outer fur in certain mammals, rising above the underfur

First recorded in 1910–15

I was covered with moose fur—the thick, dark bristles of her guard hairs and tufts of soft brown undercoat.

More than 200 impression slides and whole mounts of guard hair and underfur were prepared.

These are defined as inner or under fur, and top or guard hair.

This is called the top-hair, over-hair, guard-hair or protective hair.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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