hood

¹

[ hood ]

noun

1. a soft or flexible covering for the head and neck, either separate or attached to a cloak, coat, or the like.
2. something resembling or suggesting such a covering, especially in shape, as certain petals or sepals.
3. the hinged, movable part of an automobile body covering the engine.
4. British. the roof of a carriage.
5. a metal cover or canopy for a stove, ventilator, etc.
6. Falconry. a cover for the entire head of a hawk, used when the bird is not in pursuit of game.
7. an ornamental ruffle or fold on the back of the shoulders of an academic gown, jurist's robe, etc.
8. a crest or band of color on the head of certain birds and animals.

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a hood.
2. to cover with or as if with a hood.

hood

²

[ hood, hood ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a hoodlum.

'hood

³

or hood

[ hood ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a neighborhood, especially an urban neighborhood inhabited predominantly by African Americans of low socioeconomic status:

   It’s hard for these kids to break the cycle of poverty and get out of the 'hood.

Hood

⁴

[ hood ]

noun

1. John Bell, 1831–79, Confederate general in the U.S. Civil War.
2. Raymond Math·ew·son [math, -yoo-s, uh, n], 1881–1934, U.S. architect.
3. Robin. Robin Hood.
4. Thomas, 1799–1845, English poet and humorist.
5. Mount, a volcanic peak in N Oregon, in the Cascade Range. 11,253 feet (3,430 meters).

-hood

⁵

1. a native English suffix denoting state, condition, character, nature, etc., or a body of persons of a particular character or class, formerly used in the formation of nouns: childhood; likelihood; knighthood; priesthood .

hood

¹

/ hʊd /

noun

1. slang.
   short for hoodlum

Hood

²

/ hʊd /

noun

1. Robin
   HoodRobin See Robin Hood
2. HoodSamuel, 1st Viscount17241816MBritishMILITARY: admiral Samuel, 1st Viscount. 1724–1816, British admiral. He fought successfully against the French during the American Revolution and the French Revolutionary Wars
3. HoodThomas17991845MBritishWRITING: poetWRITING: humorous writer Thomas. 1799–1845, British poet and humorist: his work includes protest poetry, such as The Song of the Shirt (1843) and The Bridge of Sighs (1844)

'hood

³

/ hʊd /

noun

1. slang.
   short for neighbourhood

hood

⁴

/ hʊd /

noun

1. a loose head covering either attached to a cloak or coat or made as a separate garment
2. something resembling this in shape or use
3. the US and Canadian name for bonnet
4. the folding roof of a convertible car
5. a hoodlike garment worn over an academic gown, indicating its wearer's degree and university
6. falconry a close-fitting cover, placed over the head and eyes of a falcon to keep it quiet when not hunting
7. biology a structure or marking, such as the fold of skin on the head of a cobra, that covers or appears to cover the head or some similar part

verb

1. tr to cover or provide with or as if with a hood

-hood

⁵

suffix forming nouns

1. indicating state or condition of being

   manhood

   adulthood

2. indicating a body of persons

   priesthood

   knighthood

Derived Forms

• ˈhoodless, adjective
• ˈhoodˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• hoodless adjective
• hoodlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hood¹

First recorded before 900, in 1925–30 hood ¹fordef 3 (an Americanism); Middle English hode, Old English hōd; cognate with Old Frisian hōde, Dutch hoed, German Hut hat

Origin of hood²

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening

Origin of hood³

First recorded in 1965–70; African American Vernacular English; by shortening

Origin of hood⁴

Middle English -hode, -hod, Old English -hād (cognate with German -heit ), special use of hād condition, state, order, quality, rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of hood¹

Old English hōd; related to Old High German huot hat, Middle Dutch hoet, Latin cassis helmet; see hat

Origin of hood²

Old English -hād

Example Sentences

In February 2000, scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute were using a remotely operated vehicle to observe sea animals offshore when they discovered a bioluminescent mollusk with a large gelatinous hood and paddle-like tail.

From Los Angeles Times

It uses a cavernous hood to trap crustaceans to eat — a feeding strategy also used by anemones and some jellies.

From Los Angeles Times

To avoid being eaten, the mollusk hides with its transparent body and makes a quick escape by quickly closing its oral hood, similar to the movements of a jellyfish.

From Los Angeles Times

You did a residency at Caesars Palace a few years ago, and I wondered whether that setting allowed you to get under the hood of your songs as you like doing.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the election, Atwood had tweeted on X an editorial cartoon that referenced "The Handmaid's Tale" in a hopeful fashion, in which women lined up and dressed in the oppressive handmaid's cloak and hood would emerge from the voting booth in modern attire.

From Salon

Related Words

• gangster
• goon
• hooligan
• punk
• tough
• tough guy