busby

See also: Busby

English

Third Marquess of Londonderry in a busby.

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)Various theories; probably from the surname Busby.

Pronunciation

(UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈbʌz.bi/
Audio (Southern England) (file)

Noun

busby (plural busbies or busbys)

A fur hat, usually with a plume in the front, worn by certain members of the military or brass bands.
- 1887, Thomas Stevens, chapter IV, in Around the World on a Bicycle‎, Vol. II: From Teheran to Yokohama, London: Sampson Low […] , pages 71–72:
  […] many Khorassanis wearing huge sheepskin busbies, similar to the head-gear of the Roumanians and Tabreez Turks of Ovahjik and the Perso-Turkish border.
- 1895, Robert W. Chambers, The King in Yellow
  They were a fine lot of fellows, in their pale blue, tight-fitting jackets, jaunty busbys and white riding breeches with the double yellow stripe […]
- 1976, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift, New York: Avon, →ISBN, page 54:
  His head was shaped like a busby, a high solid arrogant rock, covered with thick moss.

Coordinate terms

(fur hat): bearskin

Translations

fur hat, usually with a plume

Catalan: colbac m
Dutch: kolbak (nl) c
German: Kalpak
Italian: colbacco (it) m
Spanish: colbac m
Welsh: cap blew m, bysbi m

Anagrams

subby