This is a list of terms related to beards. Please send suggestions or additions to beardguy@aol.com.

beard

A male secondary sex characteristic consisting of terminal facial hair on the cheeks, lips, chin, and neck.

cheek line

The line which is defined by the upper limit of the beard on the cheek. The cheek line may be defined by trimming or shaving or it may be defined naturally.

configuration

The extent of the area in which terminal beard hairs grow. This typically includes the cheeks, the chin, the area surrounding the lips, and portions of the neck.

density

The number of terminal beard hairs per square centimeter. Higher densities correspond to greater beard development and thicker beards.

facial hair

Any part or all of the beard. Example: the mustache is referred to as facial hair, as is the entire beard.

front

The part of the beard below the lower lip on the front of the chin.

full beard

A style of facial hair achieved by growing all beard components (sideburns, front, sides, mustache, etc.).

goatee

A style of facial hair achieved by growing only the beard on the front of and sometimes below the chin. The mustache is frequently grown to accompany the goatee.

mustache

The component of facial hair that grows above the upper lip. (Also spelled: moustache)

neck line

The line defining the lower limit of the beard along the neck. The neck line may be defined by trimming or shaving or it may be defined naturally.

pigment

The substance within the hair shaft that gives it color.

side

The part of the beard that grows on the cheeks. It connects the sideburns with the mustache and the front of the beard.

sideburns

The part of the beard that grows in front of the ears. The sideburns generally connect the hair on the scalp with the rest of the beard.

terminal hair

Coarse, pigmented hairs that make up the beard.

texture

The characteristic of hair shafts that generally determines whether beard hairs will be straight or curly.