coif

UK: /kɔɪf/ US: /kwɑf/ ,(koif for 1-2; kwäf for 2)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

coif² /kwɑf/   n., v. 

1. Clothing coiffure.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

coif¹  (koif ), n. 

1. Clothing a hood-shaped cap, usually of white cloth and with extended sides, worn beneath a veil, as by nuns.
2. Clothing any of various hoodlike caps, varying through the centuries in shape and purpose, worn by men and women.
3. a cap similar to a skullcap, formerly worn by sergeants at law.
4. Heraldry [Armor.] a covering for the head and neck, made of leather, padded cloth, or mail.
5. British Terms the rank or position of a sergeant at law.

v.t. 

6. Clothing to cover or dress with or as with a coif.

• WGmc *kuf(f )ja
• Late Latin cofia, cofea headdress, sort of cap
• Anglo-French coife, Old French coiffe
• Middle English coyf(e) 1250–1300

coif²  (kwäf, koif ), n., v.t. 

1. Clothing coiffure (defs. 1, 3).

Also coiffe. 

• French coiffer, its base
• probably back formation from coiffure, or

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coif / kɔɪf/ noun

1. a close-fitting cap worn under a veil, worn in the Middle Ages by many women but now only by nuns
2. any similar cap, such as a leather cap worn under a chain-mail hood
3. / kwɑːf/
   a less common word for coiffure1

verb (coifs, coiffing, coiffed)(transitive)

1. to cover with or as if with a coif
2. / kwɑːf/ to arrange (the hair)

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French coiffe, from Late Latin cofea helmet, cap, of obscure origin