petasus

American  

[pet-uh-suhs] / ˈpɛt ə səs /

Also petasos

noun

plural

petasuses

1. a broad-brimmed hat worn by ancient Greek travelers and hunters, often represented in art as a winged hat worn by Hermes or Mercury.

---

petasus British  

/ -ˌsɒs, ˈpɛtəsəs, ˈpɛtəsəs /

noun

1. a broad-brimmed hat worn by the ancient Greeks, such as one with wings on either side as traditionally worn by Mercury

---

Etymology

Origin of petasus

1590–1600; < Latin < Greek pétasos, akin to petannýnai to spread out

Example Sentences

Upon his head he had a petasus, or broad-brimmed hat of gray felt, fitting close to the skull, with a long fall behind, not very unlike in form to the south-wester of a modern seaman.

From The Roman Traitor, Vol. 1 by Herbert, Henry William

Under an oilskin hat, like the petasus of Hermes, pushed back from his white forehead, crisp black curls were knotted around a head whose beardless face was perfect as a cameo cutting.

From The Heritage of Dedlow Marsh and Other Tales by Harte, Bret

It is a statuette, apparently of gold, or, more probably, of bronze-gilt—a figure of Mercury, obviously, its head being surmounted with the petasus or winged hat, the usual accessory of that deity. 

From A Changed Man; and other tales by Hardy, Thomas

Where are you going?” he continued, as he saw his friend take down his broad petasus.

From Callista : a Tale of the Third Century by Newman, John Henry

Of motion is often born inspiration—Hermes, god of oratory, is represented with petasus and talaria—and I am enjoying motion.

From Romantic Spain A Record of Personal Experiences (Vol. I) by O'Shea, John Augustus