coif

[ kwahf, koif ]

/ kwɑf, kɔɪf /

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noun, verb (used with object)

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Also coiffe

[kwahf] /kwɑf/ .

Origin of coif

Probably a back formation from coiffure, or from French coiffer, its base

Words nearby coif

cohousing, COHSE, cohune, COI, Coiba, coif, coiffe, coiffed, coiffeur, coiffeuse, coiffure

Other definitions for coif (2 of 2)

coif²

[ koif ]

/ kɔɪf /

noun

a hood-shaped cap, usually of white cloth and with extended sides, worn beneath a veil, as by nuns.

any of various hoodlike caps, varying through the centuries in shape and purpose, worn by men and women.

a cap similar to a skullcap, formerly worn by sergeants at law.

Armor. a covering for the head and neck, made of leather, padded cloth, or mail.

British. the rank or position of a sergeant at law.

verb (used with object)

to cover or dress with or as with a coif.

Also coiffe

[koif] /kɔɪf/ .

Origin of coif

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English coyf(e), from Anglo-French coife, Old French coiffe, from Late Latin cofia, cofea “headdress, sort of cap,” from unattested West Germanic kuf(f)ja

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coif in a sentence

But then King stops, tilts his multipronged coif, and says, "Hey, Harold, you all right, man?"
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull|Mark Jacobson|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Wednesday, new highlights and a stylish coif were on display.
The Burglar Bunch Goes to Court|Nicole LaPorte|December 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And, it's not the only fall fashion photograph that Teller has snapped featuring a model with an unusually tinted coif.
Do Fuchsias Have More Fun?|Alisa Gould-Simon|August 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
But this fall specifically, a fire-engine coif is proving to be the must-have for the fashion pack.
Return of the Redheads|Alisa Gould-Simon|August 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST

On his head the Templar wore a white linen coif, and over that a small round cap made of red cloth.
The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple|Charles G. Addison
On No. 12 of the same plate we see the helm being put on over the mail coif; the padded cap is worn under the mail.
Armour & Weapons|Charles John Ffoulkes
A coif of black lace covered her upturned hair, framed her sweet face, and was tied soberly under her chin.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady|Lucas Malet
Katherine tied the white, lace coif she wore a little tighter beneath her chin.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady|Lucas Malet
A complete suit of mail, with coif and mufflers, late twelfth century, said to have been found in a coffin in Goring Church.
Armour in England|J. Starkie Gardner

British Dictionary definitions for coif

coif

/ (kɔɪf) /

noun

a close-fitting cap worn under a veil, worn in the Middle Ages by many women but now only by nuns

any similar cap, such as a leather cap worn under a chain-mail hood

(formerly in England) the white cap worn by a serjeant at law

a base for the elaborate women's headdresses of the 16th century

(kwɑːf) a less common word for coiffure (def. 1)

verb coifs, coiffing or coiffed (tr)

to cover with or as if with a coif

(kwɑːf) to arrange (the hair)

Word Origin for coif

C14: from Old French coiffe, from Late Latin cofea helmet, cap, of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

coif

Origin of coif

Words nearby coif

Other definitions for coif (2 of 2)

Origin of coif

Words related to coif

How to use coif in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coif

Word Origin for coif