Meanings
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1
noun
a large loose hood, especially one attached to a monk's robe
The monk drew his cowl forward against the cold wind.
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2
noun
a protective hood or covering over an engine, machine part, chimney, or ventilation opening
The mechanic removed the metal cowl to inspect the engine.
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3
verb
to cover or enclose with a cowl or hood
A sheet-metal housing cowled the exposed mechanism.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English coule, from Old English cule and earlier cugele, ultimately from Latin cucullus or cuculla, 'hood.' The word first named a monk's hood or hooded robe and later extended to hood-shaped protective covers on machines and vents.