Online Encyclopedia

COWL (through Fr. coule, from Lat. cu...

Online Encyclopedia
Originally appearing in Volume V07, Page 347 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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COWL (through Fr. coule, from
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Lat. cucullus or cuculla, a covering; the word is found in various forms in most
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European
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languages, cf. Ger. Kugel or Kigel, Dutch kovel, Irish cochal or cochull ; the ultimate origin may be the root kal, found in Lat. clam,
  secretly, and Gr . KaXinreiv, to hide, cover up), an
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outer garment worn by both sexes in the
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middle ages; a
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part of the monastic dress, hence the phrase " to take the cowl," signifying entry upon the religious
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life . The cucullus worn by the early
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Egyptian anchorites was a hood covering the head and neck . Later generations lengthened the garment until it reached to the heels, and St Benedict issued a
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rule restricting its length to two cubits . Chapter 55 of his Institute prescribes the following dress in temperate climates: a cowl and tunic, thick in winter and thin in summer, with a scapular for working hours and shoes and stockings, all of
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simple material and make . In the 14th century the cowl and the
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frock were frequently confounded, but the council of Vienne defined the former as " a habit long and full without sleeves," and the latter as " a long habit with long and wide sleeves." While the
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term thus seems strictly to imply a hooded
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gown it is often applied to the hood alone . It is also used to describe a loose vestment worn over the frock in the winter season and during the
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night office . The word " cowl " is also applied to a hood-shaped covering to a chimney or ventilating shaft, to help down-draught, and to clear the up-current of foul air (see VENTILATION) .

End of Article: COWL (through Fr. coule, from Lat. cucullus or cuculla, a covering; the word is found in various forms in most European languages, cf. Ger. Kugel or Kigel, Dutch kovel, Irish cochal or cochull ; the ultimate origin may be the root kal, found in Lat. clam,
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