Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In the manner or fashion of the Madonna: applied to the arrangement of a woman's hair, in imitation of accepted representations of the Madonna, by parting it in the middle, and bringing it close and low over the temples.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Whatever secret of the past may have hovered over the Fouchet household, the evil bird had not made its nest in madame's breast, that was clear; her smooth, white brow was the sign of a rose-leaf conscience; that dark curtain of hair, looped madonna-wise over each ear, framed a face as unruffled as her conscience.

    In and out of Three Normady Inns Anna Bowman Dodd

  • These were usually coupled with the incongruity of parted hair brought low and madonna-wise over the ears.

    The Rules of the Game Stewart Edward White 1909

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