bluecap
bluecap Lexical Profile
bluecap Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A small bird characterized by a blue crown or patch on its head, particularly the Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).
"The avid birdwatcher was thrilled to spot a bluecap flitting among the branches of the ancient oak."
British A mythical sprite or ghost in English folklore said to inhabit mines, appearing as a small blue flame and often warning miners of cave-ins or assisting with labor in exchange for wages.
"According to local mining legends, a bluecap would guide the workers to rich veins of coal if left a small offering."
Scottish A 17th-century Scottish soldier or Covenanter, so named for the traditional blue knit bonnet they wore into battle.
"During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the bluecaps marched southward with fierce determination."
• Rhymes for bluecap
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'blue' and 'cap', originally used in the 17th century to refer to Scottish soldiers who wore blue bonnets. Later applied to various birds with blue crowns, notably the Eurasian blue tit, and to mythical mine spirits in English folklore.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.