balaclava

Meaning

1. A type of warm headgear covering the neck, head, and often part of the face, with apertures left as necessary, often made out of wool.
2. (Canada, UK) A ski mask with holes for the eyes and, sometimes, the nose and mouth, which may be rolled up and worn like a toque or pulled over the face for greater protection.

Synonyms

ski mask

balaclava helmet

morion

skin

pupae

mask

😷

disguise

Translations

cagoule

passe-montagne

passamontagna

pasamontañas

κουκούλα

Sturmhaube

Balaklava

balaclava

bivakmuts

Skimütze

Balaclava

Sturmmaske

προσωπίδα

passamuntanyes

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌbæl.əˈklɑː.və/

Etymology

Cognate with Turkish: balıklava

In summary

From the city of Balaklava in Crimea, from Ottoman Turkish بالقلاوه (modern Turkish balıklava), alteration of بالقلاغه (balıklaga, “fishing ground”). During the Crimean War the British troops suffered from cold due to improper clothing. When the news spread in the home front after the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, the people began knitting warm clothing for the soldiers, including woollen caps to be worn under the helmet, which were named balaclavas by the troops.