Yarmulke

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈjɑːmÉ™lkÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈjɑɹmÉ™lkÉ™/, /ˈjÉ‘mÉ™kÉ™/

Alternative forms

• yarmulka, yarmelke, yermulke

Origin

Borrowing from yi יאַרמלקע, from Polish jarmułka ("skullcap") or a Ukrainian cognate of the same. This is probably from the Turkish yağmurluk ("rainwear"), though it could also be from Medieval Latin almutia ("hood, cowl"). The term has been attested since 1903.

Noun

1. A skullcap worn by religious Jewish males (especially during prayer).
• 2007, Patricia Cohen, "The Frozen Dozen", New York Times, April 29,But once Dr. Levenson, who works for the Indian Health Service and wears a colorful tapestry yarmulke, has alerted the tiny network, it almost seems as if we have stepped into Yiddishland.

Synonyms

• (Jewish skullcap) kippah, skullcap