whitecap

[ hwahyt-kap, wahyt- ]

noun

1. a wave with a broken and foaming white crest.

whitecap

/ ˈwaɪtˌkæp /

noun

1. a wave with a white broken crest
2. a member of a vigilante organization that attempts to control a community

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitecap¹

First recorded in 1660–70; white + cap ¹

Example Sentences

A strong wind created whitecaps, while waves breaking against rocks occasionally sprayed us.

From Washington Post

Bluebird summer mornings can morph into afternoon thunderstorms, and a calm lake can quickly develop whitecaps during the spring, summer, and fall months.

From Outside Online

But the shore was protected by a double line of reefs, so close in that the channel between did not show a whitecap.

From Project Gutenberg

In a wave without a whitecap the water returns to practically the original point after completing a circle beneath the surface.

From Project Gutenberg

A big whitecap broke just beyond, washing over the barge and leaving the Alma half swamped.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a calm, clear day without even a single whitecap to mar the blue perfection of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

And d'ye think I didn't see Mr. Whitecap going down, afore ye thought o' a row yerself?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crest
• flood
• influx
• movement
• outbreak
• rash
• rush
• sign
• stream
• surge
• swell
• tide
• upsurge