headsheet

English

Etymology

head +‎ sheet

Noun

headsheet (plural headsheets)

1. A postor or booklet containing headshots and brief descriptions of the models or actors represented by a modelling or talent agency.
   • 1998, Susan M. Halter, Modeling How One Parent Started Her Children, →ISBN, page 6:

     I asked for the names of a couple of the advertising agencies to which the company representatives send the headsheet, to verify that they do what they claimed.

   • 2000, Erin Pinckney, The Truth on Modeling:

     Not unlike the agency book, the headsheet is sent around to various clients and photographers as a quick-glance reference.

   • 2004, Systems Design Limited, Moview, →ISBN:

     Too often, it's nothing more than labelling and a moving headsheet of actors.

2. The front page of a newspaper, containing the main headlines.
   • 1934, Hervey Allen, Israfel: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe, page 614:

     He was infuriated, and wrote forthwith a challenge to Daniel scrawled on a newspaper headsheet.

   • 1974, Laura Longley Babb, Of the Press, by the Press, for the Press (and Others, Too):, →ISBN, page 66:

     And even when the headsheet gives an afterthought to these things, the results can be dismal.

3. Synonym of coversheet
   • 1945, Wayne Leslie McNaughton, Industrial Economy and Labor Control, page 191:

     A headsheet may be provided, to which these worksheets are attached, and on which descriptions, element times, and the job standard are shown.

   • 1979, Larry A. Giddings, Diana Sooy, National Symposium on Job-Task Analysis in Criminal Justice, page 424:

     COPY the agency identification number from the blue sheet into the space provided on the headsheet of this booklet.

4. (nautical) Synonym of foresheet
   • 1873, James Fenimore Cooper, The Water-witch Or the Skimmer of the Seas: A Tale, page 37:

     Hilloa, the periagua !” it cried. “ Haul over your headsheet, and jam the tiller down into the lap of that comfortable-looking old gentleman.

   • 1914, Happy Days: A Paper for Young and Old - Issues 1051-1100, page 33:

     Why don't you haul your headsheet to windward and Starboard your tiller.

   • 1960, J. A Edwards, Henry Patten Henley, Lloyd's List Law Reports - Volume 2, page 658:

     There has been great controversy as to the position in the barge in which the last reel was deposited. The plaintiff says that it was only some 2 or 3 ft. from the headsheet, and that it was in the centre line between aft and forward of the barge.

5. (historical) A cloth that covers the pillows at the head of a bed, protecting them from hair oils, etc.
   • 1871, Belgravia - Volume 14, page 128:

     If he is inclined to take a nap after dinner, ' his stomak to digest,' kerchief and comb, pillow and headsheet are to be got ready, and he is not to be allowed to sleep too long.

   • 1902 -, The Genealogical Magazine - Volumes 12-14, page 12:

     To said Duglas Sheffeild second best bed at Ealinge, chaiers. stooles, creepers, fyer pann, tongues and other furniture in the chamber; also little basin and silver candlestick which I usually have in my chamber etc.; also a silver tonne and porringer, Cambrick sheetes, headsheet, pillowbeers, and things belonging to child bed;

   • 2012, Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London:

     In 1494 the two large pillows had been covered by a headsheet which seems to have fallen out of fashion in the sixteenth century as there are very few amongst Henry VIII's goods (12686).

6. Synonym of headcloth
   • 1979, Jane Sherman, The drama of Denishawn dance, page 37:

     Her headsheet is wrapped half across her face, only her large, kohl-blackened eyes showing.

   • 1992, George Core, Revelation and Other Fiction from the Sewanee Review:

     The door, however, did not open, and within the minute he whirled to a staccato rap on the pane beyond the door grill, confronting a grizzled face beneath a headsheet crowned with a frayed fillet.

   • 1996, K. Mann, Tribal Women: On the Threshold of Twenty-first Century, →ISBN, page 91:

     The ceremony of divorce is simple. The man tears the headsheet of the woman in half and hands it over to her.

   • 2007, Peter Charles Howard Pritchard, Tales from the Thébaïde: Reflections of a Turtleman, page 217:

     Traditional Arab headgear was available, very good in the hot sun although the heavy black circle of stiff cord that was supposed to keep the white headsheet in place tended to fall off with the slightest movement, ...

7. A sheet of metal that guards the front or head of something.
   • 1884, Henry Coddington Meyer, Charles Frederick Wingate, The Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer:

     The number and size of tubes in a given area of headsheet and their relative positions have much to do with the steaming qualities of boilers.

   • 1955, Roads and Streets - Volume 98, page 127:

     From headsheet to tailgate— from top roll to longitudinals— every Galion Allsteel dump body is built to give long service life.

   • 1999, The Engineer - Volume 29, Issue 3, page 52:

     The bed is constructed of 0.250-inch-thick high-hard steel, and the headsheet and sides are of 7-gage steel.