mortarboard — (n.) also mortar board, academic cap, 1854, probably from MORTAR (Cf. mortar) (1) + BOARD (Cf. board) (n.1); so called because it resembles a mason s square board for carrying mortar. Earlier it was called a mortar cap (1680s) or simply morter (c … Etymology dictionary
mortarboard — [môrt′ərbôrd΄] n. 1. a square board with a handle beneath or with legs, used for holding mortar 2. an academic cap with a square, flat, horizontal top, worn at commencements, etc. in schools and colleges … English World dictionary
mortarboard — UK [ˈmɔː(r)tə(r)ˌbɔː(r)d] / US [ˈmɔrtərˌbɔrd] noun [countable] Word forms mortarboard : singular mortarboard plural mortarboards a hat with a stiff square top, worn as a sign of academic achievement. Mortarboards were traditionally worn by… … English dictionary
mortarboard — noun Date: 1854 1. an academic cap consisting of a closely fitting headpiece with a broad flat projecting square top 2. a. hawk 2 b. a board or platform about three feet (one meter) square for holding mortar … New Collegiate Dictionary
mortarboard — /mawr teuhr bawrd , bohrd /, n. 1. a board, usually square, used by masons to hold mortar. 2. Also called cap. a cap with a close fitting crown surmounted by a stiff, flat, square piece from which a tassel hangs, worn as part of academic costume … Universalium
mortarboard — noun a) A square board, with a handle, on which mortar or plaster is carried: a hawk. b) An academic cap that has a flat square top with a tassel Syn: hawk, cap … Wiktionary
mortarboard — mor|tar|board [ˈmo:təbo:d US ˈmo:rtərbo:rd] n a black cap with a flat square top worn by members of some universities on formal occasions … Dictionary of contemporary English
mortarboard — mor|tar|board [ mɔrtər,bɔrd ] noun count a hat with a stiff square top, worn as a sign of academic achievement. Mortar boards were traditionally worn by teachers … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
mortarboard — see mortar board … English dictionary
mortarboard — n. academic cap with a square flat top and a tassel; square board with handle underneath used by masons to hold mortar … English contemporary dictionary
