n. [ OE. bonet, OF. bonet, bonete. F. bonnet fr. LL. bonneta, bonetum; orig. the name of a stuff, and of unknown origin. ] 1. A headdress for men and boys; a cap. [ Obs. ] Milton. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A soft, elastic, very durable cap, made of thick, seamless woolen stuff, and worn by men in Scotland. [ 1913 Webster ] And plaids and bonnets waving high. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A covering for the head, worn by women, usually protecting more or less the back and sides of the head, but no part of the forehead. The shape of the bonnet varies greatly at different times; formerly the front part projected, and spread outward, like the mouth of a funnel. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Anything resembling a bonnet in shape or use; as, (a) (Fort.) A small defense work at a salient angle; or a part of a parapet elevated to screen the other part from enfilade fire. (b) A metallic canopy, or projection, over an opening, as a fireplace, or a cowl or hood to increase the draught of a chimney, etc. (c) A frame of wire netting over a locomotive chimney, to prevent escape of sparks. (d) A roofing over the cage of a mine, to protect its occupants from objects falling down the shaft. (e) In pumps, a metal covering for the openings in the valve chambers. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Naut.) An additional piece of canvas laced to the foot of a jib or foresail in moderate winds. Hakluyt. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. The second stomach of a ruminating animal. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. An accomplice of a gambler, auctioneer, etc., who entices others to bet or to bid; a decoy. [ Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ] 8. (Automobiles) The metal cover or shield over the motor; predominantly British usage. In the U.S. it is called the hood. [ Brit. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
Bonnet limpet (Zool.), a name given, from their shape, to various species of shells (family Calyptræidæ). --
Bonnet monkey (Zool.), an East Indian monkey (Macacus sinicus), with a tuft of hair on its head; the munga. --
Bonnet piece, a gold coin of the time of James V. of Scotland, the king's head on which wears a bonnet. Sir W. Scott. --
To have a bee in the bonnet. See under Bee. --
Black bonnet. See under Black. --
Blue bonnet. See in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]
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