I. ˈkāp noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English cap, from Middle French, from Old Provençal, from Latin caput head — more at head
1. : a point or extension of land jutting out into water either as a peninsula
Cape Cod
or as a projecting point
Cape Hatteras
— compare headland , promontory
2. usually capitalized
[from Cape of Good Hope]
a. : a product of the Cape of Good Hope Province or of another part of So. Africa
a Cape diamond
b. : leather produced from a So. African hair sheepskin ; broadly : a sheepskin or lambskin glove or garment leather with natural grain retained — compare capeskin
c. : a triangular postage stamp issued by the Cape of Good Hope Colony from 1853 to 1864
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from Spanish capa cloak, from Late Latin cappa head covering, cloak — more at cap (head covering)
1.
a. : a sleeveless outer garment of fabric or fur that fits closely at the neck, hangs loosely from the shoulders, and is made in all lengths
b. : an attached collarlike part of a garment
2. : the short feathers covering the shoulders of a fowl below the hackle — see cock illustration
3. : the pelt from the head, neck, and forepart of the shoulders of an animal especially for mounting as a trophy
4. : a red cloak used by a bullfighter or capeador to attract a bull and direct its charge
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: translation of Spanish capear
: to attract and direct the charge of (a bull) by flourishing a cape