Derby

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈdɑː.bi/

Definitions

1. A competitive sporting event featuring horses, a type of hat with a rounded top and narrow brim, and an organized occasion for various races or competitions often held annually
2. A competitive event involving horse racing, a type of rounded hat with a short brim, and an organized occasion showcasing various athletic competitions
3. An important event where horses compete in a race ; a style of hat with a rounded crown and a narrow brim ; a formal event featuring multiple sports contests

Etymology: The most famous "derby" is the Epsom Derby, first run in 1780 and named after Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, who founded the race. Legend has it that the race got its name from a coin toss: the Earl and Sir Charles Bunbury tossed for the right to name the new event, and the Earl won. The coin toss story is widely repeated but is not firmly documented, so treat it as a tale rather than fact. From the race, the name spread to other things. Horse races elsewhere were soon called derbies, and the word broadened to mean any major, keenly contested event, including sporting fixtures between local rivals. The hat called a derby, with its rounded crown and narrow brim, takes its name from the same race: it was reportedly worn at the Epsom meeting, and the style became known by the event's name. Its meaning as a multi-sport event follows the same pattern of a prestigious competition given a famous label.

Synonyms: race, tournament