billycock

American  

[bil-ee-kok] / ˈbɪl iˌkɒk /

noun

Chiefly British Informal.

1. a derby or a hat resembling it.

---

billycock British  

/ ˈbɪlɪkɒk /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of billycock

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

Example Sentences

As he stood there, belted about his large waist, a billycock hat on the back of his head, he looked to be anything from a broken-down publican to an out-of-work plumber.

From The Book of All-Power by Wallace, Edgar

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

He came right up to the table, with a billycock hat in one hand and a bamboo cane in the other.

From A Master of Deception by Marsh, Richard

Another proof of fatuity of Government," said Parnell, who has come back in a brown billycock hat, "that they don't make more use of Gorst.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 93, July 23, 1887. by Various

Putting on the billycock, and tying the green cotton kerchief loosely round his neck to hide his shirt, he stepped in front of the looking-glass above the mantelpiece.

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