mutch
Definition
- Noun (chiefly Scottish):
- A linen or muslin cap: "mutch" refers to a type of close-fitting cap made of white linen or muslin, traditionally worn by children, elderly women, or as part of a folk costume in Scotland and Northern England.
- A woman's or child's bonnet: It is often a simple, soft head covering tied under the chin, historically used for modesty, warmth, or as a domestic accessory.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The old woman wore a white mutch tied neatly under her chin. (A traditional linen cap worn by an elderly Scottish woman.)
- In the painting, the young girl is depicted in a simple mutch, typical of rural children in the 18th century. (A child's cap made of muslin.)
Advanced Usage
- "Mutch" as a regional or historical term: The word is rarely used in modern English outside of historical contexts, Scottish dialect, or descriptions of traditional dress.
- The museum displayed a collection of 19th-century mutches from the Highlands. (Historical caps from a specific region.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mutchkin (n): a Scottish unit of liquid measure equal to about 0.42 liters (unrelated in meaning, but shares the root "mutch").
- He ordered a mutchkin of ale at the tavern. (A specific quantity of drink.)
Synonyms
- Cap: a soft, close-fitting head covering.
- Bonnet: a type of hat tied under the chin, often used for women or children.
- Coif: a close-fitting cap worn by women in historical periods.
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms exist for "mutch," as it is a highly specific and archaic term.)