cap

cap

cap¹ [kap]

n.

[ME cappe < OE cæppe & ML cappa < LL cappa, a cape, hooded cloak]

1. any closefitting head covering, brimless or with only a front visor, and made of wool, cotton, etc., as a baseball cap or overseas cap, or of muslin or lace, as a nurse's or baby's cap

2.

a) a special covering for the head, worn as a mark of occupation, rank, academic degree, etc. [a cardinal's cap, fool's cap]

b) MORTARBOARD (sense 2)

3. a caplike part or thing; cover or top, as the cap-shaped part of a mushroom, a small metal cover for a bottle, the cover over a camera lens or other projecting or end part, a kneecap, an artificial crown for a tooth, a mountain top, or the capital of a column

4. PERCUSSION CAP

5. a little paper percussion cap for toy guns (cap guns)

6. an upper limit set on a budget, cost, etc.; ceiling

vt.

capped, capping

1. to put a cap on

2. to present ceremonially with a special cap, as at a graduation [to cap a nurse]

3. to cover the top or end of; form a cap [snow capped the hills]

4.

a) to do as well as or better than; equal or excel

b) to follow with another that is equivalent or better than; match [to cap a quotation]

5. to bring to a high point, as of interest or excitement; climax

6. to set a cap, or upper limit, for

——————

cap in hand

in a humble or servile manner

——————

☆ cap the climax

to be or do more than could be expected or believed

——————

set one's cap for

to try to win as a husband or lover

cap²

abbrev.

1. capacity

2. capital

3.

a) capitalization

b) capitalize

c) capitalized

4. [L capsula] Pharmacy a capsulea capsule

5. [L capitulum] chapter

6. [L capiat] Pharmacy take