dunce's cap

Thân thiện

A teacher places a dunce's cap on a student's head.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cone-shaped paper hat: A dunce's cap is a pointed hat, traditionally made of paper, that was historically placed on the head of a student as a punishment for being slow to learn, lazy, or misbehaving in school.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the old classroom picture, a boy was sitting in the corner wearing a dunce's cap.
  • The teacher threatened to make him wear the dunce's cap if he didn't pay attention.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Context: The dunce's cap is a symbol of public shaming and an outdated, often criticized, method of discipline in education. It is rarely, if ever, used in modern classrooms.
  • The practice of using a dunce's cap is now seen as a relic of a less enlightened educational system.

Variants and Related Words

• Dunce cap (n): A common alternative spelling without the possessive apostrophe 's'.
  • He was made to wear a dunce cap for forgetting his homework.
• Dunce (n): A person who is slow to learn; a dullard. This is the term for the person who would be forced to wear the cap.
  • He was unfairly labeled a dunce by his strict teacher.

Synonyms

• Fool's cap: A very similar, often interchangeable, term for a conical hat used to mock or punish someone.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To be/wear the dunce's cap: Figuratively, to be in a position of shame or to be the one who has made a foolish mistake.
  • After his terrible presentation, he felt like he was wearing the dunce's cap for the rest of the meeting.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a cone-shaped paper hat formerly placed on the head of slow or lazy pupils

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dunce cap
• fool's cap