Biggin

/ˈbɪɡɪn/ · noun

Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic) A child's cap; (figuratively) childhood.
2. (historical) An official's hood or coif.
3. A coffee pot with a strainer or perforated metallic vessel for holding the ground coffee, through which boiling water is poured.
4. A drinking vessel for ale or beer; possibly a tankard.

Example Sentences

[…] 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.

An old woman's biggin for a nightcap.

As he became more popular, household objects were brought into requisition for his instruction in a copious vocabulary; and whenever he appeared in the Yard ladies would fly out at their doors crying ‘Mr Baptist—tea-pot!’ ‘Mr Baptist—dust-pan!’ ‘Mr Baptist—flour-dredger!’ ‘Mr Baptist—coffee-biggin!’ At the same time exhibiting those articles, and penetrating him with a sense of the appalling difficulties of the Anglo-Saxon tongue.

‘That silver biggin holds coffee, and there are cups on the lower tier of the cart.’

Oswald's wife then put before him a large pie, and some wheaten bread, with a biggin of good beer.

Synonyms for biggin

Antonyms for biggin

Related Words

Word Forms

• biggins
• bigging

Usage Notes

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