A hairpin or needle used in traditional hair styling, particularly in Irish or Celtic contexts; a type of ornamental fastener.
From Irish/Gaelic origin; possibly related to 'am' (a particle) + 'gairn' (yarn, thread). The term is primarily dialectal and regional, found in Celtic linguistic traditions.
An amgarn was an essential tool before bobby pins existed—Celtic women used these decorative needle-like pins to hold elaborate hairstyles in place, and archaeological finds show that some were beautifully carved, making them both functional and artistic.
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