Obs. [f. CATER sb.2 four, referring to the four-cornered top + CAP.] The square cap worn by academics. Cf. CAP sb.1 4 e. Hence transf. A wearer of a catercap, a university man.
1588. Marprel. Epist. (Arb.), 44. You presbyter Iohn Catercap are some man in the land.
1589. Nashe, Almond for P., 5 a. They [Sir Peter and Sir Paul] were none of these Cartercaps, Graduates, nor Doctors.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 228. He feareth neither proud Priest, Antichristian Pope, Tyrannous Prelate, nor godless Catercap.
Hence † Cater-capt a., wearing a catercap, academic. Obs.
a. 1669. Bp. H. King, Poems & Ps. (1843), Pref. 50. A proud prelate … and a most pragmaticall malignant against the parliament, as all his cater-capt companions also are.
