caul

Meaning

1. A style of close-fitting circular cap worn by women in the sixteenth century and later, often made of linen.
2. 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).
3. A membrane.
4. The thin membrane which covers the lower intestines; the omentum.
5. 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).
6. The surface of a press that makes contact with panel product, especially a removable plate or sheet.
7. A strip or block of wood used to distribute or direct clamping force.
8. Caul fat.

Synonyms

greater omentum

veil

gastrocolic omentum

embryonic membrane

foetal membranes

die block

forming die

hairnet

molding bed

match

net

omentum

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kɔːl/

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”).