coif Hear it!

coif Definition

coif (ko̵if; for n.5 & vt.2 usually kwäf)

noun

  1. a cap that fits the head closely
  2. a white cap formerly worn by English lawyers, esp. by serjeants-at-law
  3. the rank of serjeant-at-law
  4. a thick skullcap formerly worn under a hood of mail
  5. Etymology: back-form. < coiffure

    a style of arranging the hair

Etymology: ME & OFr coife < LL cofea, a cap, hood < ?

transitive verb coifed, coif·ing, coiffed, coif·fing

  1. to cover with or as with a coif
    1. to style (the hair)
    2. to give a coiffure to

coif Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • white: Her long, dark hair was bound up under a simple white linen coif over which she wore her usual headdress.

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: She is perfectly coiffed with eyes elegantly smudged with kohl, shimmering lips, fabulously tailored suits and an indefinable air of dignity.
  • immaculately: In the following days she would pose, immaculately coiffed and made-up, for glamor shots of her horribly bruised face.
  • elegantly: The elegantly coiffed heir apparent to Mr Blair finished up with a flourish.

Noun used with modifier

  • linen: Her long, dark hair was bound up under a simple white linen coif over which she wore her usual headdress.
  • mail: The backpack was ditched for a plastic one and a load of green stuff used to make the chain mail coif.
  • chainmail: It is suggested that a chainmail head coif may have offered some additional protection to the combatants at Wisby.

Browse dictionary entries near coif

  1. cohune
  2. cohosh
  3. cohort
  4. cohobate
  5. coho
  6. Cohn
  7. cohesive
  8. cohesion
  9. coherent
  10. coherence
  1. coiffeur
  2. coiffeuse
  3. coiffure
  4. coign of vantage
  5. coil
  6. Coimbatore
  7. coin
  8. coin-op
  9. coin-operated
  10. coinage