skullcap

American  

[skuhl-kap] / ˈskʌlˌkæp /

noun

1. a small, brimless close-fitting cap, often made of silk or velvet, worn on the crown of the head, as for religious functions.

2. the domelike roof of the skull.

3. Botany. any of various plants belonging to the genus Scutellaria, of the mint family, having a calyx resembling a helmet.

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skullcap British  

/ ˈskʌlˌkæp /

noun

1. a rounded brimless hat fitting the crown of the head

2. the nontechnical name for calvaria

3. any of various perennial plants of the genus Scutellaria, esp S. galericulata, that typically have helmet-shaped flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Etymology

Origin of skullcap

First recorded in 1675–85; skull + cap ¹

Compare meaning

How does skullcap compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• skullcap vs. beanie

Example Sentences

Wearing an orange kippah, or skullcap, he shared touching memories of his children and spoke of how he and his wife had been happily surprised on giving birth to their second red-headed boy.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2025

The remains, which include a skullcap, tooth, and thighbone, are the most famous items on a list of treasures Indonesia wants back.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 26, 2022

He grew religious in middle age, appearing on screen in a skullcap until finally withdrawing from popular culture for an ascetic life of biblical scholarship in Jerusalem.

From Reuters • Jun. 2, 2022

Mr. Weingarten wore a skullcap, and Mr. Meisels a baseball cap.

From New York Times • May 11, 2022

He watched while Horace removed the dead man’s skullcap and placed it beside the dead man’s shoulder.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• cranium
• scalp