- Widow's peak
A widow's peak (widow's brow) is a descending V-shaped point in the middle of the hairline (above the forehead). The trait is inherited genetically and is dominant. A dominant trait is the observed trait. [cite book|last=Campbell|first=Neil| authorlink=Neil Campbell (scientist)|coauthors=Jane Reece|title=Biology |publisher=Benjamin Cummings| date=2005|location=San Francisco|pages=pp. 265] The term comes from English folklore, where it was believed that this hair formation was a sign of a woman who would outlive her husband. [http://ask.yahoo.com/20021227.html "Where did the term "widow's peak" come from?";
Ask Yahoo! December 27 , 2002] ]The peak refers to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly a widow's hood, making people think a woman was being given a mourning hood for her husband's forthcoming passing.
The term can also be linked to novels written in the Roman era of Bath, when women were discussing how bitter women and widows had odd hairlines citeneeded.
ee also
*
List of Mendelian traits in humans
*Cupid's bow (a distinctive feature of the upperlip in some humans).References
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