Coverchief

/ˈkʌvətʃiːf/ noun

Definition

A head covering or headdress; a cloth worn to cover the head or hair, historically used by women.

Etymology

From cover + chief (from Old French chief meaning 'head'), literally a cloth that covers the head; archaic term for what we'd now call a headscarf or bonnet.

Kelly Says

Coverchiefs were practical headwear across social classes in medieval and Renaissance Europe, and the style persisted in religious communities—nuns' veils are essentially modernized coverchiefs.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

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