skullcap

American  

[skuhl-kap] / ˈskʌlˌkæp /

noun

1. a small, brimless close-fitting cap, often made of silk or velvet, worn on the crown of the head, as for religious functions.

2. the domelike roof of the skull.

3. Botany. any of various plants belonging to the genus Scutellaria, of the mint family, having a calyx resembling a helmet.

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skullcap British  

/ ˈskʌlˌkæp /

noun

1. a rounded brimless hat fitting the crown of the head

2. the nontechnical name for calvaria

3. any of various perennial plants of the genus Scutellaria, esp S. galericulata, that typically have helmet-shaped flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Etymology

Origin of skullcap

First recorded in 1675–85; skull + cap ¹

Compare meaning

How does skullcap compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• skullcap vs. beanie

Example Sentences

A large crowd - many wearing kippas, the Jewish skullcap, or draped in Australian flags - gathered to listen to speeches after the observing the silence.

From BBC

Some draped Israeli flags around their shoulders and wore kippahs, or Jewish skullcaps.

From BBC

Wearing an orange kippah, or skullcap, he shared touching memories of his children and spoke of how he and his wife had been happily surprised on giving birth to their second red-headed boy.

From BBC

Some students wore kaffiyehs, the traditional Palestinian scarf, while others wore Jewish skullcaps.

From New York Times

The faithful gathered in an imposing modernist building, thousands of men in skullcaps and women in veils sitting shoulder to shoulder.

From New York Times

Related Words

• cranium
• scalp