whitecap

3 definitions found

whitecap - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Whitecap \White"cap`\, n.
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) The European redstart; -- so called from its white
            forehead.
        (b) The whitethroat; -- so called from its gray head.
        (c) The European tree sparrow.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A wave whose crest breaks into white foam, as when the
        wind is freshening.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A member of a self-appointed vigilance committee
        attempting by lynch-law methods to drive away or coerce
        persons obnoxious to it. Some early ones wore white hoods
        or masks. [U. S.] -- White"cap`, v. -- White"cap`per,
        n.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

  Whitethroat \White"throat`\, n. (Zool.)
     Any one of several species of Old World warblers, esp. the
     common European species (Sylvia cinerea), called also
     strawsmear, nettlebird, muff, and whitecap, the
     garden whitethroat, or golden warbler (Sylvia hortensis
     ), and the lesser whitethroat (Sylvia curruca).
     [1913 Webster]

whitecap - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  whitecap
      n 1: a wave that is blown by the wind so its crest is broken and
           appears white [syn: whitecap, white horse]