M-W also provided bit of French history for the word's etymology:
The Marquise de Pompadour, mistress of the French King Louis XV, exerted much influence over French tastes in the mid-18th century. The Marquise continues to exert linguistic influence on English, and not only through the hairdos styled after her. "Pompadour" is also used (though now rarely) for a pink or crimson fabric and for a textile design of small printed or woven floral effects. It's also the name of a small South American bird that is bright reddish-purple with white wings.
What in the world do mistresses, hair-do's, and birds have to do with Scripture you might ask? I'm going to stick with the hair-do for this blog article. We have a description of Messiah's hair in the book of Revelation:
His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. - Revelation 1:14
In a different passage Peter speaks of hair in his admonition to the wives of believers to be adorned with that which is precious to G-d:
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. - 1 Peter 3:1-6
Paul echos a similar message:
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. - 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Please note that Paul is not telling women to avoid braided hair but to be adorned instead by good works. He is contrasting two things... "not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments" but rather "good works". Good works should be their adornment. Why? Revelation 19:8 tells us that the bride of Messiah will clothe herself in righteous acts. So, too, should earthly brides who are followers of Messiah do likewise.
Acts 18:18 tells us that Paul had his hair cut as part of a Nazirite vow.
Some have pointed to 1 Corinthians chapter 11 to mean that men should not pray with their hair covered. Reading the context of this passage it should be clear that the passage is speaking of authority and headship... not head coverings.
To Him who has declared "not a hair of your head will perish" be the honor and glory. Amen.