Definition

Noun: A bicorne is a type of formal hat, historically worn in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, characterized by its brim being turned up on two opposite sides to create two distinct points or peaks.

Usage

The term "bicorne" specifically refers to the hat itself. It is used when describing historical military uniforms, particularly from the Napoleonic era, or formal attire of that period.

Examples

• The general's uniform was complete with a bicorne adorned with a plume.
• Paintings of Admiral Nelson often show him wearing a bicorne.
• The museum's collection includes a bicorne that belonged to a French cavalry officer.

Advanced Usage

• The bicorne is often associated with European and American military commanders of the late 1700s and early 1800s.
• It is sometimes referred to as a "two-cornered" hat to describe its shape simply.

Variants and Related Words

• Bicorn (adj/n): An alternative spelling for the noun; as an adjective, it means "having two horns or horn-like parts."
• Cocked hat: A general term for a hat with the brim permanently turned up, which includes the bicorne and the tricorne (three-cornered hat).

Synonyms

• Two-cornered hat
• Cocked hat (though this is a broader category)

Notes

The bicorne is distinct from the tricorne, which has three points. It was typically worn with the points aligned from side to side, though it could also be worn with the points facing front and back, a style known as the "fore-and-aft" orientation.

Noun

1. a cocked hat with the brim turned up to form two points