I. ˈkau̇l, esp before pause or consonant -au̇əl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cowle, from Old English cugele, from Late Latin cuculla monk's hood, from Latin cucullus hood, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish cūl hiding place; akin to Greek keuthein to conceal — more at hide
1.
a. : a usually sleeveless garment composed of a hood attached to a gown or robe and worn as the typical garb of a monk
b. : a hood especially of a monk
c. : the symbol of a monk or of things monastic : the condition of a monk or fact of being a monk
abandoning the cowl to assume a layman's life
sometimes : monk
d. : a part of a garment modeled after some part of the monk's cowl ; especially : a draped neckline on a woman's garment
2.
a. Scotland : a cap worn in the house : nightcap
b. dialect England : a swelling on the head : boil
3. : something resembling a cowl in shape : hood: as
a. : a chimney covering designed to improve the draft by directing the smoke out horizontally often by use of a revolving metal hood
b. : a curved hood or a cap on a ventilator pipe to improve the draft : a covered air exhaust
c. : the top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument board
d. : cowling
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to garb with a cowl ; specifically : to make a monk of
b. : to cover as if with a cowl
peaks cowled in clouds
2. : to equip or cover with a cowl
an airplane engine cowled in
III. ˈkōl, ˈkül, ˈkau̇(ə)l noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cowle, cuvel, from Old English cȳfel, cūfel, from Old North French cuvele small vat, from Late Latin cupella, diminutive of Latin cupa tub, cask — more at hive
now dialect England : a large tub or vessel ; especially : a vessel with two handles to facilitate carrying