A colonial hairpiece is a type of wig that was popular in the 18th century. It is also known as a PERIWIG, which is a seven-letter word that can be found in crossword puzzles. The colonial hairpiece was a full-length wig made of human or animal hair and was often powdered to give it a white appearance. It was worn by both men and women during the colonial period and was seen as a sign of wealth and status.