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

The boatman, taking him into a small room, produced a carter’s frock and gaiters, with a billycock hat and a large red handkerchief to tie round his throat.

From The Rival Crusoes by Kingston, William Henry Giles

On the floor of the sitting-room lay a various assortment of coats, waistcoats, trowsers, great-coats, billycock hats and sou'-westers, together with countless shirts and collars, scarfs and handkerchiefs.

From Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon by Caine, Hall, Sir

A "billycock" or "bowler," as the pot hat is called, is as thoroughly frowned on now in English colleges as it was with us a dozen years ago.

From An American at Oxford by Corbin, John

And they saw two other boys walk majestically on to the platform in ulsters and billycock hats, and their trousers turned up, and sticks in their hands to represent soldiers.

From The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's A School Story by Reed, Talbot Baines

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