calash

American  

[kuh-lash] / kəˈlæʃ /

noun

1. Also a light vehicle pulled by one or two horses, seating two to four passengers, and having two or four wheels, a seat for a driver on a splashboard, and sometimes a folding top.

2. a folding top of a carriage.

3. calèche.

4. a bonnet that folds back like the top of a calash, worn by women in the 18th century.

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calash British  

/ kəˈlæʃ /

noun

1. a horse-drawn carriage with low wheels and a folding top

2. the folding top of such a carriage

3. a woman's folding hooped hood worn in the 18th century

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Etymology

Origin of calash

1660–70; < French calèche < German Kalesche < Czech kolesa carriage, literally, wheels; see wheel

Example Sentences

She was clothed, her dress soaked from the water in which she had sunk herself; she wore a calash upon her head.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

A rosy, dark-eyed face looked out from the faded green calash, a gayly flowered gown was looped up over a blue quilted petticoat, and a red camlet cloak hung down behind.

From Spinning-Wheel Stories by Alcott, Louisa May

She wore a hood on her head,—a large calash, which had a curtain that hung about her shoulders.

From The Story of Old Fort Loudon by Murfree, Mary Noailles

As soon as she had got rid of her visitor, Mrs. Clavering hastily threw on her calash, and repaired at a brisk pace to Uncle Philip's cabin.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

Seated, then, in a berlin, or perhaps in a calash, one goes out at least to visit the olive groves, if not to cross the island.

From Mentone, Cairo, and Corfu by Woolson, Constance Fenimore