cowl

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

cowl, n. [AS. cuhle, cugle, cugele; cf. dial. G. kogel, gugel, OF. coule, goule; all fr. LL. cuculla, cucullus, fr. L. cucullus cap, hood; perh. akin to celare to conceal, cella cell. Cf. Cucullate.].

•  A monk's hood; -- usually attached to the gown. The name was also applied to the hood and garment together.  [1913 Webster]

  "What differ more, you cry, than crown and cowl?"  [1913 Webster]
•  A cowl-shaped cap, commonly turning with the wind, used to improve the draft of a chimney, ventilating shaft, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  A wire cap for the smokestack of a locomotive.  [1913 Webster]
•  a removable metal covering for an aircraft engine, providing streamlining to minimize wind resistance; -- also called cowling.  [PJC]
•  a covering for a chimney or other ventilating shaft functioning to increase the draft.  [PJC]

cowl, n. [Cf. OF. cuvele, cuvel, dim. of F. cuve tub, vat, fr. L. cupa. See Cup.].

 A vessel carried on a pole between two persons, for conveyance of water.  Johnson.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

cowl, n.
1 a the hood of a monk's habit. b a loose hood. c a monk's hooded habit.
2 the hood-shaped covering of a chimney or ventilating shaft.
3 the removable cover of a vehicle or aircraft engine.

Derivative

cowled adj. (in sense 1).

Etymology

OE cugele, cule f. eccl.L cuculla f. L cucullus hood of a cloak

THESAURUS

cowl

blanket, cloak, coat, cover, coverage, covering, covert, coverture, cowling, curtain, drape, drapery, guise, hanging, hood, housing, mantle, mask, pall, screen, shelter, shield, shroud, veil, vestment

ROGET THESAURUS

cowl

Canonicals

N canonicals, vestments, robe, gown, Geneva gown frock, pallium, surplice, cassock, dalmatic, scapulary, cope, mozetta, scarf, tunicle, chasuble, alb, alba, stole, fanon, fannel, tonsure, cowl, hood, calote, calotte, bands, capouch, amice, vagas, vakas, vakass, apron, lawn sleeves, pontificals, pall, miter, tiara, triple crown, shovel hat, cardinal's hat, biretta, crosier, pastoral staff, thurifer, costume.