stove-pipe hat

A man in a suit tips his stove-pipe hat politely.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tall, cylindrical hat: A "stove-pipe hat" is a type of formal men's hat with a tall, flat crown and a narrow brim, historically popular in the 19th century. Its shape resembles a stovepipe (a metal pipe used for heating stoves), hence the name.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Abraham Lincoln was famously depicted wearing a stove-pipe hat in many photographs. (A tall, cylindrical hat associated with the 19th-century U.S. president.)
  • The magician pulled a rabbit out of his stove-pipe hat during the show. (A tall hat used as a prop in performances.)

Advanced Usage

• "stove-pipe hat" as a historical symbol: This hat is often associated with formal attire of the Victorian era, particularly in political portraiture.
  • In the museum, a collection of stove-pipe hats from the 1800s was displayed. (Hats representing a bygone fashion style.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stovepipe (noun): The metal pipe itself that connects a stove to a chimney.

  • The stovepipe was clogged with soot, causing smoke to fill the room. (A pipe for venting smoke.)

• Top hat (noun): A synonym for "stove-pipe hat," though "top hat" is more common in modern usage.

  • He wore a top hat to the wedding. (A formal tall hat.)

Synonyms

• Top hat: A tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hat worn for formal occasions.
• Silk hat: A type of top hat made from silk material, often shiny.
• High hat: An older, less common term for a tall hat.

Related Idioms

• To tip one's hat: To acknowledge or show respect, often by lifting the brim of a hat (not specific to stove-pipe hats, but applicable).
  • He tipped his stove-pipe hat to the lady as she passed. (He acknowledged her with a polite gesture.)

Note on Usage

• The term "stove-pipe hat" is somewhat dated and rarely used in everyday speech today; "top hat" is the preferred modern term. It is most commonly encountered in historical contexts, literature, or discussions of 19th-century fashion.