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View synonyms for coif

coif

1

[ kwahf, koif ]

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. kwɑːf a less common word for coiffure
“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


verb

  1. to cover with or as if with a coif
  2. kwɑːf to arrange (the hair)
“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
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of coif1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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Coibacoiffe