dunce cap

or dunce's cap

noun

a tall, cone-shaped hat formerly worn by slow or lazy students as a punishment in school.
Also called fool's cap.

Origin of dunce cap

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby dunce cap

duncan phyfe, duncan smith, duncan, isadora, duncanville, dunce, dunce cap, dunciad, the, dundalk, dundas, dundee, dundee cake

Example sentences from the Web for dunce cap

  • Although no dunce-cap was on his head, a roomful of staring eyes struck a burning shame into his soul.

    A Japanese Boy |Shigemi Shiukichi

  • I do not think the plan was very successful, for the pockmarked youngster was often adorned with the dunce-cap.

    Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Vol. 1 of 14 |Elbert Hubbard

  • He sat in school with a dunce-cap upon his head, or else played hookey and spent his hours in fishing, swimming or idling.

    The New Education |Scott Nearing

British Dictionary definitions for dunce cap

dunce cap

dunce's cap

noun

a conical paper hat, formerly placed on the head of a dull child at school