cape

¹

[keyp]

noun

1. a sleeveless garment of various lengths, fastened around the neck and falling loosely from the shoulders, worn separately or attached to a coat or other outer garment.

2. the capa of a bullfighter.

verb (used with object)

caped, caping 

1. (of a matador or capeador during a bullfight) to induce and guide the charge of (a bull) by flourishing a capa.

cape

²

[keyp]

noun

1. a piece of land jutting into the sea or some other large body of water.

   Synonyms: spit, headland, promontory, point

2. the Cape.

   1. Northeastern U.S.,  Cape Cod.

   2. Cape of Good Hope.

3. capeskin.

verb (used without object)

caped, caping 

1. Nautical.,  (of a ship) to have good steering qualities.

adjective

1. Cape, pertaining to the Cape of Good Hope or to South Africa.

   a Cape diamond.

cape

¹

/ keɪp /

noun

1. a sleeveless garment like a cloak but usually shorter

2. a strip of material attached to a coat or other garment so as to fall freely, usually from the shoulders

cape

²

/ keɪp /

noun

1. a headland or promontory

Cape

³

/ keɪp /

noun

1. the SW region of South Africa, in Western Cape province

2. See Cape of Good Hope

cape

1. A point or head of land projecting into a body of water.

Other Word Forms

• caped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cape¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from French cap(p)e, from Spanish capa or Italian cappa, from Late Latin cappa “hooded cloak”; cope ²

Origin of cape²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cap, from Middle French, from Old Provençal cap or Italian capo, from Vulgar Latin capum (unrecorded) for Latin caput “head”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cape¹

C16: from French, from Provençal capa, from Late Latin cappa; see _cap

Origin of cape²

C14: from Old French cap, from Old Provençal, from Latin caput head

Example Sentences

A bright moon rose as the family took their seats and the animal charged out of its pen, agitated, and barreled toward the matador’s pink cape.

From Los Angeles Times

But enough people remember Cain in blue tights and a red cape so that he’s a regular on the fan convention circuit.

From Los Angeles Times

Grab on to his cape and don’t worry about the little people on the ground.

From Salon

This Superman is all impulsive energy, much like his unhousebroken puppy, who also wears a cape and tramples on things when he tries to help.

From Los Angeles Times

Near 1st and Alameda streets on Monday, 46-year-old Christopher Kim draped a South Korean flag over his back like a cape.

From Los Angeles Times