capette: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/LowFashion/Humorous/Historical
Quick answer
What does “capette” mean?
A small, light, decorative or fashionable hat, typically worn by women.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, light, decorative or fashionable hat, typically worn by women; a petite version of a cap.
A minor or junior female member of a group or organization; historically, a young female novice in certain contexts (though this usage is very rare and archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. No significant dialectal variation in usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is historical or whimsical fashion. If used figuratively, it may carry a slightly patronizing tone.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency; most native speakers would be unfamiliar with the word. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical costume descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “capette” in a Sentence
[Subject] wore a [Adjective] capette.The [Noun] was adorned with a capette.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Possibly in historical fashion or costume studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used in standard technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capette”
- Using it as a standard term for any hat.
- Assuming it is a common word.
- Confusing it with 'cappuccino'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and obscure word, primarily of historical interest in fashion contexts.
In extremely rare and archaic usage, it can refer to a junior or novice female member of a group, but this is not standard.
It is derived from 'cap' with the French diminutive suffix '-ette', indicating a small version of a cap.
No, it is not a productive word in modern English. Use more common terms like 'small hat' or 'headpiece' instead.
A small, light, decorative or fashionable hat, typically worn by women.
Capette is usually fashion/humorous/historical in register.
Capette: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈpɛt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈpɛt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None established”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CAPPED' - a 'cap' that is 'PETITE' (small) = CAP-ETTE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SMALL HAT IS A PETITE WOMAN (based on the diminutive '-ette' suffix).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'capette'?