coif

¹

[ kwahf, koif ]

noun

1. coiffure ( defs 1, 3 ).

coif

²

[ koif ]

noun

1. a hood-shaped cap, usually of white cloth and with extended sides, worn beneath a veil, as by nuns.
2. any of various hoodlike caps, varying through the centuries in shape and purpose, worn by men and women.
3. a cap similar to a skullcap, formerly worn by sergeants at law.
4. Armor. a covering for the head and neck, made of leather, padded cloth, or mail.
5. British. the rank or position of a sergeant at law.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or dress with or as with a coif.

coif

/ kɔɪf /

noun

1. a close-fitting cap worn under a veil, worn in the Middle Ages by many women but now only by nuns
2. any similar cap, such as a leather cap worn under a chain-mail hood
3. (formerly in England) the white cap worn by a serjeant at law
4. a base for the elaborate women's headdresses of the 16th century
5. kwɑːf a less common word for coiffure

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a coif
2. kwɑːf to arrange (the hair)

Word History and Origins

Origin of coif¹

Probably a back formation from coiffure, or from French coiffer, its base

Origin of coif²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English coyf(e), from Anglo-French coife, Old French coiffe, from Late Latin cofia, cofea “headdress, sort of cap,” from unattested West Germanic kuf(f)ja

Word History and Origins

Origin of coif¹

C14: from Old French coiffe, from Late Latin cofea helmet, cap, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

There are wigs to coif, dresses to steam and parties to attend.

From Los Angeles Times

Timotheé Chalamet's pale visage and perfectly coifed curls may be the face of the "Dune" franchise, but another powerhouse has emerged.

From Salon

With a distinctive voice that often broke into laughter, Ms. Milo cultivated an image as a ditsy blonde, impeccably coifed and made up.

From New York Times

The appearance of Bankman-Fried, who sat with his lawyers, has changed dramatically recently as he has lost weight and trimmed his well-known wild coif into a tightly cropped look more traditional among financial professionals.

From Washington Times

Bankman-Fried’s appearance has changed dramatically in recent months as he has lost weight and trimmed his well-known wild coif into a tightly cropped look more traditional in the world of finance.

From Seattle Times