blackcap

The story

1. Latin · calque ofātricapillus“blackcap; black-haired”
2. English todayblackcap

Calque of Latin ātricapillus (“blackcap; black-haired”), itself a calque of Ancient Greek μελαγκόρυφος (melankóruphos). By surface analysis, black + cap.

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. A small Old World warbler, Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), which is mainly grey with a black crown.
• 17th–19th c. Any of various species of titmouse (of the family Paridae), including the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus, syn. Parus atricapillus).
• from 18th c. An apple roasted until black, to be served in a dish of boiled custard.
• from 19th c. The blackcap raspberry (Rubus leucodermis).