coif

¹

[ kwahf, koif ]

noun

1. coiffure ( defs 1, 3 ).

coif

²

[ koif ]

noun

1. a hood-shaped cap, usually of white cloth and with extended sides, worn beneath a veil, as by nuns.
2. any of various hoodlike caps, varying through the centuries in shape and purpose, worn by men and women.
3. a cap similar to a skullcap, formerly worn by sergeants at law.
4. Armor. a covering for the head and neck, made of leather, padded cloth, or mail.
5. British. the rank or position of a sergeant at law.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or dress with or as with a coif.

coif

/ kɔɪf /

noun

1. a close-fitting cap worn under a veil, worn in the Middle Ages by many women but now only by nuns
2. any similar cap, such as a leather cap worn under a chain-mail hood
3. (formerly in England) the white cap worn by a serjeant at law
4. a base for the elaborate women's headdresses of the 16th century
5. See coiffure
   kwɑːf a less common word for coiffure

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a coif
2. kwɑːf to arrange (the hair)

Word History and Origins

Origin of coif¹

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

Origin of coif²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of coif¹

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

Example Sentences

But then King stops, tilts his multipronged coif, and says, "Hey, Harold, you all right, man?"

From The Daily Beast

On Wednesday, new highlights and a stylish coif were on display.

From The Daily Beast

And, it's not the only fall fashion photograph that Teller has snapped featuring a model with an unusually tinted coif.

From The Daily Beast

But this fall specifically, a fire-engine coif is proving to be the must-have for the fashion pack.

From The Daily Beast

On his head the Templar wore a white linen coif, and over that a small round cap made of red cloth.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

A coif of black lace covered her upturned hair, framed her sweet face, and was tied soberly under her chin.

From Project Gutenberg

Katherine tied the white, lace coif she wore a little tighter beneath her chin.

From Project Gutenberg

A complete suit of mail, with coif and mufflers, late twelfth century, said to have been found in a coffin in Goring Church.

From Project Gutenberg