Etymologically
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cappa

Etymology and origin of the Latin word cappa

History Permalink
Confidence
Uncertain
First attested
Gregory of Tours

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkap.pa][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkap.pa][1]

Forms

cappa f (genitive cappae); first declension[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.[2][3] The leading theory, reported by Wiktionary, takes it as a shortening of capitulāre, from caput “head”.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Gregory of Tours, whom he dates 538/539–594 AD.[2] Isidore of Seville uses it of a kind of head covering.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Late Latin it meant a kind of head covering, as in Isidore of Seville, and a hooded cloak.[4][3] In Ecclesiastical Latin it was a large cloak.[5] In Medieval Latin it was a cape or cloak, usually with a hood, worn by laymen, women and clergy.[6]

It survives in Italian cappa, Spanish and Portuguese capa and Old French chape.[1] Late Old English borrowed it as cæppe, the source of English cap, and English cape came in the late 16th century through French from Spanish capa.[3] A Vulgar Latin *excappāre, literally “to get out of one's cape”, gave English escape about 1300.[3]

Timeline

  • 538/539–594 AD – Gregory of Tours uses it.[2]
  • c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville uses it of a head covering.[4][2]
  • c. 1300 – English escape is recorded.[3]
  • late 16th century – English cape (the garment) is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A head covering; a hooded cloak.[4][3]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A cape, cloak.[6][5]

Word family

  • *excappāre
  • cappella
  • cappellus

Usage notes

An indeclinable cappa was the name of the Greek letter kappa, as in Ausonius.[4][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
Cite this entry

“Cappa.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/cappa. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·