Capuchin, n. (and attrib.)
(ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn, kapyʃin)
Also -ine.
[a. 16th c. F. capuchin (now capucin), ad. It. capuccino, f. capuccio, capuche hood: see above.]
1. A friar of the order of St. Francis, of the new rule of 1528. So called from the sharp-pointed capuche, adopted first in 1525, and confirmed to them by Pope Clement VII. in 1528.
| 1599 Marston Sco. Villanie i. ii. 178 When impropriat gentles will turn Capuchine. 1603 Bp. Hall Serm. v. 5 More strict and Capuchin-like. 1712 tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 163 The invention of Friar Auge the Capuchin. 1771 Smollett Humph. Cl. (1785) I. 63/2 He..traversed..France, in the disguise of a Capuchin. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U.S. II. xl. 494 The Capuchin missionary. |
2. ‘A female garment, consisting of a cloak and hood, made in imitation of the dress of capuchin friars; whence its name’ (J.).
| [1706 tr. C'tess D'Aunoy's Trav. 5 Wrapping up their Heads in their Hooded-Gowns, they seemed to me to be Thieves disguised in Capuchins.] 1749 Fielding Tom Jones Wks. 1775 III. 72 The young lady had on her hat and capuchin. 1752 ― Covent Gard. Jrnl. 9 May, Within my memory the ladies..covered their lovely necks with a Cloak; this was exchanged for the manteel, this again was succeeded by the pelorine, the pelorine by the neckatee, the neckatee by the capuchine, which hath now stood its ground a long time. 1858 Thackeray Virgin. I. 377. |
b. = capuche, hood.
| 1834 J. R. Planché Brit. Costume 322 In..1752 we find a successor to the hood in the capuchin. 1887 Cornh. Mag. Mar. 266 Attached to the collar of the coat, and hanging midway down the back, is the uncouth capuchin. |
3. A plant,
Impatiens.
| 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 322 The Capuchine or Balsamine [Impatiens]..introduced to Jamaica many years ago. |
4. Capuchin monkey, an American monkey (
Cebus capucinus) with black hair at the back of the head, looking something like a cowl;
Capuchin pigeon, a sub-variety of the Jacobin pigeon, with a range of inverted feathers on the back of the head, suggesting a cowl or hood.
| 1785 J. E. Smith in Leisure Ho. (1883) June 353/2 The Capuchin monkey..whose horrid yellings are intolerable to the ears. 1855 H. Spencer Princ. Psychol. (1872) I. i. i. 11 The movements of the little Capuchin monkey. 1855 Owen Skel. & Teeth 300 Capucin-monkey (Cebus). |
| 1735 J. Moore Columb. in Tegetmeier Pigeons xvi. (1867) 146 Under the title of the Capuchine Moore alludes to a breed which is evidently nothing more than an inferior or cross-bred Jacobine. |
5. Capuchin's beard, a variety of endive used for salad;
Capuchine capers, see
caper n.1 3.
| 1861 Delamer Kitch. Gard. 111 Barbe de Capucin, or Capuchin's Beard, is consumed in large quantities in Paris during winter and early spring. It is the same thing as the foregoing chicory. |