cape

cape · noun¹

1. Latin · derived fromcaput“head”
2. Old French · derived fromcap“cape, headland”
3. Middle English · inherited fromcape
4. English todaycape

From Middle English cape, gappe, cap, from Old French cap (“cape, headland”), from Latin caput (“head”). Compare Old Norse kobbi (“islet, small cape”). Doublet of capo, caput, chef, and chief, and distantly with head and Howth. For sense development, compare English ness (“a promontory point, cape”) from a root related to nose, Bulgarian нос (nos) (the same PIE root). Also compare coast (<< Latin costa).

cape · noun, verb²

1. Late Latin · derived fromcappa“cape”
2. Old Occitan · derived fromcapa
3. French · borrowed fromcape
4. English todaycape

From French cape, from Old Occitan capa, from Late Latin cappa (“cape”). The second sense ("superhero") is metonymic from the fact that many superheroes wear capes. Likewise, the verb sense "defend, praise" alludes to the stereotypical depiction of superheroes wearing capes when they come to people's defense. (Compare caped crusader.) Doublet of capa and cappa.

Cape · proper noun, proper noun³

English surname, from the noun cape. Also found in French as Capé.

Words from the same roots