Etymology
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snood (n.)

Middle English snod (plural snoden), from Old English snod "ribbon for the hair," from Proto-Germanic *snodo (source also of Swedish snod "string, cord"), from PIE root *(s)ne- "to spin, sew" (source also of Lettish snate "a linen cover," Old Irish snathe "thread;" see needle (n.)).

In the Middle Ages it typically was worn by young unmarried girls, hence "held to be emblematic of maidenhood or virginity" [Century Dictionary]. The modern fashion use for "bag-like hair net" is by 1938 (such nets also were worn in the Middle Ages, but they are not snoods properly).

updated on February 11, 2023

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