silk hat

American  

noun

1. a tall, cylindrical, black hat covered with silk plush, worn by men for formal dress.

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silk hat British  

noun

1. a man's top hat covered with silk

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Other Word Forms

• silk-hatted adjective

Etymology

Origin of silk hat

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Large sheer silk hats fluttered by — like a rain cloud being blown by the wind.

From Seattle Times

“But sometimes it’s kind of fun just to have something — like an old silk hat,” says Carol Estep, president of the DuPont museum board.

From Seattle Times

In a society that after World War II was gripped by modernity, Mr. Austin might as well have been peddling silk hats and spats.

From Washington Post

Rich, sweeping full silk skirts with floral or decorative prints and oversize shoulders, were reminiscent of John Galliano-era Dior, as were dramatic black feathered or pearly oversize silk hats.

From Seattle Times

Nobody's going to come out with a high silk hat and a magic stick to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

From New York Times