Cowl

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kaʊl/

Definitions

1. A hood worn over the head or neck for warmth or protection ; a protective cap placed on top of a chimney or vent to prevent rain and debris from entering ; a loose outer garment that drapes over the shoulders and upper body
2. A head or neck covering, often part of a robe or cloak ; a device fitted on a chimney to shield it from weather and block downdrafts ; an ample garment worn over clothing to provide warmth or shield from the elements
3. A cloth or fabric covering that fits over the head or neck for shelter or concealment ; a cover installed on a chimney or vent pipe to keep out water and debris ; a large, loose outerwear piece intended to protect against cold or wind

Etymology: The English "cowl" traces back to Latin "cucullus," meaning "hood," a word of uncertain origin. Ecclesiastical Latin adapted it as "cuculla" for the hooded garment of a monk. Old English borrowed this as "cugele" and later shortened it to "cūle," which became Middle English "coule." Through these centuries the word stayed tied to religious dress, and it still names the wide hood on a monastic habit. Its cousin "cagoule," a lightweight hooded jacket borrowed from French, comes from the same Latin source, making the two a doublet: words that entered English by different routes yet share one ancestor. A separate word, also spelled "cowl," entered English as a term for a vat or tub. It came from Old French "cuvel," a diminutive of "cuve," which derives from Latin "cūpa," meaning tub or cask. That sense is unrelated to the hood.

Synonyms: hood, cap, scarf