Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dunce-cap

Noun

/ˈdʌns kæp/

Definition

A cone-shaped hat traditionally worn by a student who has been reprimanded in school, often used to signify that the student is slow or dull-witted.

Examples

The teacher made him wear a dunce-cap for talking back during class.
In movies set in an old-fashioned school, the dunce-cap is often used to show a student being made fun of.
Despite the stigma of the dunce-cap, many students have gone on to achieve great things later in life.

Meaning

The term ‘dunce-cap’ refers to a hat that symbolizes ignorance or stupidity, often associated with punitive measures in educational settings in the past.