coif

Meanings

1. A hairdo.
2. A hood; a close-fitting cap covering much of the head, widespread until the 18th century; after that worn only by small children and country women.
3. A similar item of mail armour covering the head.
4. An official headdress, such as that worn by certain judges in England.

1. To style or arrange hair.

Etymology

From Middle English coif, coife, coyf, coyfe, coyffe, from Old French coife, coiffe, from Late Latin cofia, from Proto-West Germanic *kuffju, related to Old High German kupphia, kupha, kupfe (“mug, hood, cap”), from Proto-Germanic *kuppijǭ (“cap, hat, bonnet, headpiece”), Proto-Germanic *kuppō (“vat, mug, cup”), from pre-Germanic *kubná-, from Proto-Indo-European *gup- (“round object, knoll”), from Proto-Indo-European *gew- (“to bend, curve, arch, vault”). Cognate with Middle High German kupfe (“cap, headgear, helmet”).