A moustache ( UK : / m ə ˈ s t ɑː ʃ / ; American English : mustache , / ˈ m ʌ s t æ ʃ / ) [1] is a growth of facial hair grown above the upper lip and under the nose . Moustaches have been worn in various styles throughout history. [2]
The word "moustache" is French , and is derived from the Italian mustaccio (14th century), dialectal mostaccio (16th century), from Medieval Latin mustacchium (eighth century), Medieval Greek μουστάκιον ( moustakion ), attested in the ninth century, which ultimately originates as a diminutive of Hellenistic Greek μύσταξ ( mustax , mustak- ), meaning "upper lip" or "facial hair", [3] probably derived from Hellenistic Greek μύλλον ( mullon ), "lip". [4] [5]
An individual wearing a moustache is said to be "moustached" or "moustachioed" (the latter often referring to a particularly large or bushy moustache).