Tricorne

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A headwear item featuring a three-pointed silhouette, commonly linked to 18th-century European fashion
2. A historical hat that exhibits three prominent corners, typical of the styles adopted by the upper class in the 1700s
3. A style of hat characterized by a design with three pointed shapes, often associated with fashionable attire of the European elite during the 18th century

Etymology: The term originated in the late 17th century to describe a distinctive style of hat worn by European men, especially military officers and naval personnel. This headwear featured a broad brim folded up on three sides, creating a triangular shape when viewed from above. Its popularity soared during the 18th century, becoming a symbol of status and authority in both civilian and military fashion. The word itself derives from the combination of the Latin prefix "tri-" meaning "three," and the Old French "corne," meaning "horn." This latter element was often used to describe something horn-shaped or pointed. Together, they refer literally to "three horns," a vivid image evoking the three folded points of the hat’s brim. The design’s name therefore captures the hat’s most striking physical characteristic. This style of hat evolved from earlier broad-brimmed hats that were folded or pinned up to allow ease of movement and to prevent the brim from obstructing vision or getting in the way during combat or riding. Over time, the three-pointed shape became standardized and associated with the aristocracy and military officers of the 18th century, especially during the American and French Revolutions. The tricorne gradually fell out of fashion by the end of the 18th century, replaced by the bicorne and later by simpler, brimmed hats. However, its distinctive shape remains iconic today, often used in historical reenactments or as a symbol of the colonial and revolutionary periods in Western history.

Synonyms: tricorn, tri-cornered hat