havelock
Noun: A havelock is a piece of cloth attached to the back of a military-style cap or helmet. It has a long flap that hangs down to cover and protect the back of the wearer's neck from the sun.
The word havelock is used to describe a specific historical item of military uniform accessory. It is primarily associated with 19th and early 20th-century colonial troops, especially in tropical regions. * Soldiers wore havelocks to prevent sunburn on their necks during long marches. * The design of the havelock allowed for protection while keeping the headgear in place.
- The museum display featured a pith helmet with a faded white havelock.
- In many old photographs, you can see British troops in India with havelocks on their forage caps.
The term is almost exclusively used in a historical or descriptive military context. It is named after Sir Henry Havelock, a British general. * The uniform regulations required the attachment of the havelock during summer months.
- Neck flap: A more general, modern term for a similar protective piece of cloth on hats or helmets.
- Sun flap
- Neck guard (context-specific)
- There is no direct antonym, as it is a specific object. Opposing concepts could be exposure or lack of protection.
The havelock is now considered obsolete in modern military uniforms, having been replaced by other forms of sun protection.
- a cloth covering for a service cap with a flap extending over the back of the neck to protect the neck from direct rays of the sun