billycock

American  

[bil-ee-kok] / ˈbɪl iˌkɒk /

noun

Chiefly British Informal.

1. a derby or a hat resembling it.

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billycock British  

/ ˈbɪlɪkɒk /

noun

1. rare any of several round-crowned brimmed hats of felt, such as the bowler

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Etymology

Origin of billycock

1715–25; alteration of bullycocked ( hat ); see bully ¹, cock ² ( def. ), -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

billycock

One man, who wore a battered "billycock" on his head, had encased his feet and legs in a pair of rubber jackboots; between these extremities he sported a sailor's jersey, and the usual T bandage.

From In the Andamans and Nicobars The Narrative of a Cruise in the Schooner "Terrapin" by Kloss, C. Boden

Then, concealing his surprise from the liftman, he fell back upon his usual mild habit of complaining about the billycock hat and the uniform.

From The Wolves of God And Other Fey Stories by Blackwood, Algernon

And so, no doubt, he would have done had he been content with a common human billycock or bowler, like the former one, at four-and-six.

From Somehow Good by De Morgan, William Frend

The expression on poor Mrs Butt’s face now alarmed Charlie, who instantly doffed his billycock and resumed his natural voice and manner.

From Charlie to the Rescue by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Quite a lovely picture, in her graceful riding-habit of light drab, and her little billycock hat with its brilliant feather.

From Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2) or Settler and Maori in Northern New Zealand by Hay, William Delisle