<P> A widow's peak is a V - shaped point in the hairline in the center of the forehead . Hair growth on the forehead is suppressed in a bilateral pair of periorbital fields . Without a widow's peak, these fields join in the middle of the forehead so as to give a hairline that runs straight across . A widow's peak results when the point of intersection on the forehead of the upper perimeters of these fields is lower than usual . </P> <P> A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead; there are varying degrees of the peak . Although it is commonly taught as an example of a dominant inherited trait, there are no scientific studies to support this . </P> <P> The term stems from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead--suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood--is an omen of early widowhood . The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833 . The expression widow's peak dates from 1849 . The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly the distinctive hood with a pointed piece in front--a biquoquet--which widows wore as a hood of mourning dating from 1530 . Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century . A mourning cap or' Mary Stuart Cap' is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak . The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears in Alexander Barclay's The Shyp of Folys: </P>

Is it bad to have a widows peak