blackcap
blackcap Lexical Profile
blackcap Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small Eurasian and North African warbler (Sylvia atricapilla) noted for its melodious song, characterized by the male having a distinctive black crown.
"We paused our hike to listen to the rich, fluting song of a blackcap hidden in the dense hawthorn thicket."
North American A North American species of raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) that produces dark purple or black edible fruit; also refers to the fruit itself.
"During the late summer, they foraged along the forest edge to gather baskets of wild blackcaps for making jam."
North American The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), a small, familiar North American songbird with a dark crown and bib.
"A solitary blackcap visited the backyard feeder on a freezing winter morning."
Word Nuance & Usage
The primary referent of 'blackcap' varies significantly by geography; in Europe it denotes a specific warbler, whereas in North America it is colloquially used for the black-capped chickadee or the black raspberry.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'black' and 'cap', first recorded in the mid-16th century in reference to the distinct black crown feathers of the male Eurasian warbler.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.