busby

American  

[buhz-bee] / ˈbʌz bi /

noun

plural

busbies

1. a tall fur hat with a baglike ornament hanging from the top over the right side.

2. the bearskin hat worn by certain British guardsmen.

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busby ¹ British  

/ ˈbʌzbɪ /

noun

1. a tall fur helmet with a bag hanging from the top to the right side, worn by certain soldiers, usually hussars, as in the British Army

2. (not in official usage) another name for bearskin

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Busby ² British  

/ ˈbʌzbɪ /

noun

1. Sir Matthew , known as Matt . 1909–94, British footballer. He managed Manchester United (1946–69)

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Etymology

Origin of busby

First recorded in 1755–65; originally, a bushy wig; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Passing the balcony of the Horse Guards Building where stood Mary, the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth, King George looked up from under his extinguisher of a busby and smiled.

From Time Magazine Archive

The sapper of grenadiers of the Imperial Guard wore a big black fur busby, a forked beard, white gaiters, a pure white cassock under a black white-cuffed jacket, crossed white bandoliers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instead, he merely clapped on his head an enormous, extinguisher-like fur busby of the Welsh Guards, and walked round the corner, unescorted, from York House to St. James's proper.

From Time Magazine Archive

By the Chevrolet exhibit stood a tall young man in the red costume and black busby of the Scots Guards.

From Time Magazine Archive

And the same click in the brain told Adam that his father was not a great man, that he was, indeed, a very strong-willed and concentrated little man wearing a huge busby.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• hat
• helmet
• tiara
• turban