A widow's peak is a descending V-shaped point in the middle of the hairline (above the forehead). The trait is inherited genetically and dominant. The term comes from English folklore, where it was believed that this hair formation was a sign of a woman who would outlive her husband.

The peak refers to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly a widow's hood, making people think a woman was being given a mourning hood for her husband's soon-to-be passing. Also believed to be a sign of sexual prowess in folklore .

Men with male pattern baldness develop what appears to be a large widow's peak.

Dermatology | Hairstyles