hat
noun
- the distinctive head covering of a cardinal.
- the office or dignity of a cardinal.Compare red hat.
verb (used with object), hat·ted, hat·ting.
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Nearby words
- hastings, battle of,
- hastings, thomas,
- hastings, warren,
- hasty,
- hasty pudding,
- hat dance,
- hat in hand,
- hat in the ring,
- hat stand,
- hat tree
Idioms
Origin of hat
hat
noun
verb hats, hatting or hatted
Word Origin for hat
hat
Old English hæt "hat, head covering," from Proto-Germanic *hattuz "hood, cowl" (cf. Frisian hat, Old Norse hattr), from PIE root *kadh- "cover, protect" (cf. Lithuanian kudas "tuft or crest of a bird," Latin cassis "helmet"). Now, "head covering with a more or less horizontal brim." To throw one's hat in the ring was originally (1847) to take up a challenge in prize-fighting. To eat one's hat is said to have been originally To eat Old Rowley's [Charles II's] hat.
hat in hand
Also, cap in hand. In a humble manner. For example, They went to her, hat in hand, asking for a change of assignment. This expression alludes to removing one's headgear as a sign of respect and has survived the era of doffing one's hat. [c. 1700]
hat
In addition to the idioms beginning with hat
- hate someone's guts
- hat in hand
- hat in the ring
- hats off to
- hat trick
also see:
- at the drop of a hat
- brass hat
- eat one's hat
- hang on to your hat
- hang up (one's hat)
- hard hat
- hats off to
- keep under one's hat
- knock into a cocked hat
- pass the hat
- pull out of a hat
- take one's hat off to
- talk through one's hat
- throw one's hat in the ring
- wear another hat
Also see undercap.