Topees

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Lightweight protective helmets made of pith or cork that shield the head from strong tropical sunlight
2. Pale, rounded headgear worn in hot countries to keep the sun off the wearer's head and face
3. Sun hats of light pith or cork, traditionally worn by colonial travellers and soldiers in sunny regions

Etymology: "Topees" is simply the plural of "topee", the pith helmet worn across British India and colonial Africa. The singular comes from Hindi "ṭopī" (also written in Urdu as "ṭōpī"), meaning a cap or hat. It is a small, everyday word for a headcovering, and the English form kept the Hindustani sense closely: a light, sun-blocking hat that Europeans adopted as they worked and lived in hot South Asian climates.

Synonyms: sun helmet, pith helmet, topi