WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
dunce′ cap′, 
  1. a tall, cone-shaped hat formerly worn by slow or lazy students as a punishment in school.
Also, dunce′'s cap′. Also called fool's cap. 
  • 1830–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
dunce cap, dunce's cap n
  1. a conical paper hat, formerly placed on the head of a slower child at school
'dunce cap' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
foolscap
In Lists: Hats, more...

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