Definition of "chignon"

chignon

/ʃɪnˈjɒn/

noun
plural chignons
1. A roll or twist of hair worn at the nape of the neck; a bun.
  Quotations
  The chignon cannot be confounded with other artificialities which ladies put on and off.
  1867, “Chignonology”, in Living Age, volume 92, page 761
  If I close my eyes I can see Marie today as I saw her then. Round, rosy face, snub nose, dark hair piled up in a chignon.
  1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 2, in An Autobiography, part II, London: Collins
  The physician should evaluate for a history of tight ponytails, buns, chignons, braids, twists, weaves, cornrows, dreadlocks, sisterlocks, and hair wefts in addition to the usage of religious hair coverings.
  2021, Becky S. Li, Howard I. Maibach, Ethnic Skin and Hair and Other Cultural Considerations, page 154
2. (medicine) A temporary swelling on a neonate's head after a ventouse-assisted delivery.