Capette

/kəˈpɛt/ noun

Definition

A small cape or short sleeveless cloak worn as a fashion garment, often by women.

Etymology

From French capette, the feminine diminutive of cape, from Latin cappa meaning 'cloak' or 'hood.' The -ette suffix indicates a smaller or feminine version.

Kelly Says

The capette was a fashionable woman's garment in the 18th and 19th centuries—small enough to look elegant but practical enough to provide warmth, similar to modern shrugs and wraps.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Diminutive form using feminine suffix '-ette' (French origin). The suffix historically marks objects as small, decorative, or subsidiary, often applied to women's items or subordinate concepts, embedding size/importance hierarchies into gendered linguistic patterns.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'capette' as neutral technical term for the object itself; avoid using '-ette' suffix to diminish or feminize concepts that wouldn't use it in masculine form.

Inclusive Alternatives

["cap variant","small cap"]

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.