blue bonnet

plural blue bonnets · alternative bluebonnet · alternative blue-bonnet

1. A traditional flat Scottish hat made of blue wool; a blue tam-o'-shanter.First known use 16th c.

   The blue bonnet, a national badge, is disappearing rapidly.

   1791, John Sinclair, The Statistical Account of Scotland

   1 more example

   While waiting for others to arrive, Margaret Scott-Stewart, a big, friendly woman of 55 in a tartan tunic and blue bonnet, smokes Royals and sings 'Charlie Is My Darling'.

   2009 August 21, Scotland on Sunday

2. Someone who wears such a hat; a Scotsman, especially a Scottish soldier.First known use 17th c.

   Rob soon gathered an unco band o' blue-bonnets at his back.

   1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy

3. Any of several blue flowering plants, especially cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, and plants of the genus Scabiosa.First known use 18th c.
4. A blue Australian parrot, especially Northiella haematogaster.First known use 19th c.

   And when he at last succeeds in trapping a one-guinea blue bonnet he can sit happily for hours marvelling at the beauty of its feathers, the rich blue around its parrot's beak, the yellow of its lower breast in which lovely sea you find a soft-edged island of rich blood red.

   1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 402

5. USespeciallyAny of several North American species of Lupinus common in the southwestern US, especially Lupinus texensis and Lupinus subcarnosus.First known use 20th c.