# coif

> English word · Noun · IPA /kwɑf/ · frequency rank #85,122

## Definitions
1. A hairdo.
2. A hood; a close-fitting cap covering much of the head, widespread until the 18th century; after that worn only by small children and country women.
3. A similar item of mail armour covering the head.
4. An official headdress, such as that worn by certain judges in England.

## Etymology
From Middle English coif, coife, coyf, coyfe, coyffe, from Old French coife, coiffe, from Late Latin cofia, from Proto-West Germanic *kuffju, related to Old High German kupphia, kupha, kupfe (“mug, hood, cap”), from Proto-Germanic *kuppijǭ (“cap, hat, bonnet, headpiece”), Proto-Germanic *kuppō (“vat, mug, cup”), from pre-Germanic *kubná-, from Proto-Indo-European *gup- (“round object, knoll”), from Proto-Indo-European *gew- (“to bend, curve, arch, vault”). Cognate with Middle High German kupfe (“cap, headgear, helmet”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/coif