caul
/kɔl/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.10 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A style of close-fitting circular cap worn by women in the sixteenth century and later, often made of linen.
noun
An entry to a mill lead taken from a burn or stream (a mill lead (or mill waterway) is generally smaller than a canal but moves a large volume of water).
British usage
noun
A membrane.
noun
The amnion which encloses the foetus before birth, especially that part of it which sometimes shrouds a baby’s head at birth (traditionally considered to be good luck).
noun
The surface of a press that makes contact with panel product, especially a removable plate or sheet.
noun
Example Sentences
- "Ne spared they to strip her naked all. / Then when they had despoild her tire and call, / Such as she was, their eyes might her behold […]"
- "I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas."
- "Even in the mid seventeenth century a country gentleman might regard his caul as a treasure to be preserved with great care, and bequeathed to his descendants."
Etymology
From Middle English calle, kelle, kalle, kolle (“caul, net, basket”), from Old English cāwl, cāul, cēawl, cēaul (“basket, container, net, sieve”), of uncertain origin. Reinforced by Old French cale (“close-fitting cap”), possibly a borrowing of the Old English term above, or alternatively related to Old French calotte (“headdress”), from Italian callotta, from Latin calautica (“type of female headdress which fell down over the shoulders”), itself of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots kell (“caul”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /kɔl/
- British English: /kɔːl/
Usage
- British usage