skullcap
skullcap Lexical Profile
skullcap Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, round, close-fitting brimless cap that covers the crown of the head, often worn for religious, ceremonial, or athletic purposes.
"The elderly scholar wore a dark velvet skullcap while reading in his study."
Any of various herbaceous flowering plants of the genus Scutellaria in the mint family (Lamiaceae), widespread in temperate regions and characterized by square stems, opposite leaves, and hooded, two-lipped tubular flowers in shades of blue, violet, pink, or white.
"Clusters of purple skullcap bloomed along the damp, shaded bank of the woodland stream."
The upper, dome-like portion of the human cranium that encloses and protects the brain.
"The anatomy professor removed the plastic skullcap from the model to reveal the internal cavities of the cranium."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 17th century as a compound of 'skull' and 'cap', originally referring to a close-fitting protective helmet liner or cap worn on the crown of the head; the botanical sense translates the genus name Scutellaria, from the helmet-like shape of its calyx.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.