I. ˈhat, usu -ad.+V noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hæt; akin to Old Norse höttr head covering — more at hood
1. : a covering for the head: as
a. : a head covering typically having a shaped crown and brim and made of felt, straw, or silk and worn by men — distinguished from cap ; compare derby , felt , Stetson , straw hat
b. : a decorative accessory in a wide variety of shapes and materials worn by women — compare bonnet , cartwheel , cloche , pillbox , sailor , toque
2.
a. : a head covering of distinctive color or shape worn as a symbol of office
cardinal's hat
b. : an office symbolized by or as if by the wearing of a special hat
the two principal hats a president wears are those of ceremonial head of state and chief executive — Cabell Phillips
3. : a layer of bark spread on the hides in a tanning pit
4. : a container used for taking up a collection of voluntary contributions (as of money)
go round with the hat
pass the hat
•
- have one's hat in the ring
- take one's hat off to
II. verb
( hatted ; hatted ; hatting ; hats )
transitive verb
1. : to furnish or provide with a hat
smartly gowned, hatted, and gloved for the journey — A.N.Whitehead
2. : to bestow a cardinal's hat on
intransitive verb
: to make or supply hats
III.
dialect
past of hit
IV.
dialect England
variant of hit