- A covering for the head
- One usually with a visor but without a brim, for men and boys
- One of lace, muslin, etc., for women, or infants
- One used as the mark or ensign of some rank, office, or dignity, as that of a cardinal.
- One usually with a visor but without a brim, for men and boys
- The top, or uppermost part; the chief."Thou art the cap of all the fools alive." [Shak.]
- A respectful uncovering of the head."He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks." [Fuller.]
- [Zoöl] The whole top of the head of a bird from the base of the bill to the nape of the neck.
- Anything resembling a cap in form, position, or use
- [Arch]
The uppermost of any assemblage of parts; as, the cap of column, door, etc.; a capital, coping, cornice, lintel, or plate. - Something covering the top or end of a thing for protection or ornament.
- [Naut]
A collar of iron or wood used in joining spars, as the mast and the topmast, the bowsprit and the jib boom; also, a covering of tarred canvas at the end of a rope. - A percussion cap. See under Percussion.
- [Mech]
The removable cover of a journal box. - [Geom]
A portion of a spherical or other convex surface.
- [Arch]
- A large size of writing paper; as, flat cap; fools cap; legal cap .
Etymology: OE. cappe, AS. cæppe, cap, cape, hood, fr. LL, cappa capa; perhaps of Iberian origin, as Isidorus of Seville mentions it first: “Capa, quia quasi totum capiat hominem; it. capitis ornamentum.” See 3d Cape, and cf. 1st Cope