coif

Meaning

Noun

1. A hairdo.
2. A hood; a close-fitting cap covering much of the head, widespread until the 18th century; after that worn only by small children and country women.
3. A similar item of chain mail headgear covering the head.
4. An official headdress, such as that worn by certain judges in England.

Verb

To style or arrange hair.

Synonyms

coiffure

do

coiffe

dress

👗

hairstyle

hairdo

hair style

little cap

bonnet

set

arrange

haircut

💇

comb out

comb

chapeau

hat

👒

headgear

hood

mobcap

scalp lock

tease

tit for tat

wave

👋

wimple

cap

curl

cornet

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kwɑf/

Etymology

From Middle English coif, coife, coyf, coyfe, coyffe, from Old French coife, coiffe, from Late Latin cofia, from Proto-West Germanic *kuffju, related to Old High German kupphia, kupha, kupfe (“mug, hood, cap”), from Proto-Germanic *kuppijǭ (“cap, hat, bonnet, headpiece”), Proto-Germanic *kuppō (“vat, mug, cup”), from pre-Germanic *kubná-, from Proto-Indo-European *gup- (“round object, knoll”), from Proto-Indo-European *gew- (“to bend, curve, arch, vault”). Cognate with Middle High German kupfe (“cap, headgear, helmet”).