- tress (n.)
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- c. 1300, "long lock of hair," from Old French tresse "a plait or braid of hair" (12c.), of uncertain origin, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *trichia "braid, rope," from Greek trikhia "rope," from thrix (genitive trikhos) "hair." Related: Tresses.
- tress (v.)
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- "arrange in tresses," mid-14c., from Old French trecier (12c.), from tresse (see tress (n.)).