zarcole, n.

zarcole
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zarcole_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1921; not fully revised

# zarcolenoun

## Earlier version

- zarcole in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zarcole mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zarcole. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### Where does the noun zarcole come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun zarcole is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for zarcole is from 1585, in a translation by Thomas Washington.

zarcole is a borrowing from Turkish.

### Nearby entries

1. zapping, n. 1972–
2. zappy, adj. 1969–
3. zaptieh, n. 1869–
4. ZAPU, n. 1961–
5. Zar, n. 1868–
6. Zarathustrian, adj. & n. 1859–
7. Zarathustrianism, n. 1864–
8. Zarathustric, adj. 1848–
9. Zarathustrism, n. 1871–
10. zaratite, n. 1858–
11. zarcole, n.1585–
12. zarda, n. 1899–
13. zardozi, n. 1871–
14. zarf | zurf, n. 1836–
15. zari, n. 1969–
16. zariba, n. 1849–
17. zariba, v. 1885–
18. zarnich, n. 1612–
19. Zarp, n. 1895–
20. zarzuela, n. 1888–
21. zat, n. 1934–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Turkish.
Turkish.

## Meaning & use

1. 1585–
   A high cylindrical head-dress such as was worn by janissaries.
   1. 1585

      > Slaues bearyng on theyr heads a Saracoll of Crymson veluet.

      T. Washington, translation of N. de Nicolay, Nauigations Turkie i. vi. 4 b
   2. 1585

      > A hood of fine white felt, whiche they call Zarcola.

      T. Washington, translation of N. de Nicolay, Nauigations Turkie iii. iii. 73 b
   3. 1585

      > A white Zarcole.

      T. Washington, translation of N. de Nicolay, Nauigations Turkie iii. x. 91 b
   4. 1603

      > His slaues with their red zarcull on their heads.

      R. Knolles, Generall Historie of Turkes 831
   5. 1696

      > A Thousand Janisaries..with Zercola's on their Head.

      translation of J. Dumont, New Voyage to Levant 176
   hats
   1. zarcole 1585–
      A high cylindrical head-dress such as was worn by janissaries.
   2. modius 1722–
      Ancient History. A tall cylindrical headdress of a kind worn by certain deities, as depicted in classical art.
   3. polos 1847–
      A cylindrical headdress seen in some representations of Greek goddesses.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Forms

### Variant forms

Also 1500s saracoll, 1500s–1600s zarcola, 1600s zarcull, zercola.

zarcole, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

zarcole, n. was last modified in March 2025.