n. 1. Any of several styles of small, close-fitting hats having no brim or a very short brim, especially: a. A usually black, velvet cap with a narrow, rolled brim and often an ornamental plume, worn especially in France in the 16th century. b. See tuque. 2. A hat, usually white, having a tall pleated crown and no brim and traditionally worn by chefs. [French, from Spanish toca, from Iberian Vulgar Latin *tauca (compare Portuguese touca, toque, and obsolete Basque (dialect of Navarre) taika, nun's bonnet), probably of pre-Roman Iberian origin.] (click for a larger image) toqueknit toque |
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