biggin

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbɪɡɪn/

Etymology 1

From French béguin. Compare beguine.

Noun

biggin (plural biggins)

1. (archaic) A child's cap; (figuratively) childhood.

   • 1819: “my brain has been topsy-turvy, they say, ever since the biggin was bound first round my head; so turning me upside down may peradventure restore it again.” — Walter Scott, Ivanhoe

   • Massinger

     An old woman's biggin for a nightcap.

2. (historical) An official's hood or coif.
3. Coffee pot that has separate areas for heating the coffee and water.
4. A building; a bigging.

Etymology 2

From the inventor's surname.

Alternative forms

• bigging

Noun

biggin (plural biggins)

1. A coffee pot with a strainer or perforated metallic vessel for holding the ground coffee, through which boiling water is poured.

Anagrams

• gibing