chinstrap

plural chinstraps · alternative chin-strap · alternative chin strap

1. A strip of leather or material used to fasten a hat or helmet under the chin.

   A bridle, the chin-strap or chain.

   1777, John Richardson, A Dictionary, Persian, Arabic, and English, page 752

   2 more examples

   Such a deficit was not likely long to escape notice: the regiment was halted in the midst of a manœuvre, and, in the pause that ensued, Nosey demanded, in a grunt of thunder, how, without a chinstrap, I could expect my cap to stick upon my head.

   1842, “Waifs of the Waters”, in The Sporting Review

   I immediately spat my mouthpiece out and unbuckled my chinstrap, yanking my helmet off of my head in a determined flash.

   2005, Joe Peacock, Mentally Incontinent

2. A form of beard that follows the jawline but does not cover the rest of the chin.

   Synonyms: chin strip

3. A band of colour below a bird's mouth, resembling the chinstrap of a helmet.

   A miniature look-alike of the Canada Goose, with a partial white necklace instead of a white chinstrap.

   2003, Roger Tory Peterson, Peter Alden, Birds, page 10

   1 more example

   The dark slate-grey plumage contrasting strongly with white 'chinstrap' is shared only by Blue Eared-pheasant, but their ranges do not overlap.

   2010, Phil McGowan, Steve Madge, Pheasants, Partridges & Grouse, page 313