cape
/keɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /keɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkāp/ (ame, mw)
cape — noun
1. a large area of land that reaches out from a coastline into the sea, often with
a large area of land that reaches out from a coastline into the sea, often with a distinctive shape that makes it a landmark for sailors.
The ship rounded the cape just before sunset to avoid the rocks.
rounded the cape — standard verb collocation for sailing past a cape
Leila grew up in a small fishing village on the cape of that southern island.
Lighthouses are often built at the tip of a cape to warn ships of danger.
The road along the cape offers stunning views of the ocean on both sides.
Noa stood on the rocky cliff at the cape's end and watched the waves below.
用法筆記
Frequently capitalised in proper names of specific capes (e.g. the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Cod, Cape Town). When used on its own as 'the Cape', it usually refers to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
常見錯誤
2. an item of clothing without arm-covering sections, kept in place by a fastening
an item of clothing without arm-covering sections, kept in place by a fastening around the throat and falling from the shoulders over the back, usually reaching somewhere between the elbow and the waist; worn for warmth, as part of a uniform, or as a costume accessory.
Rashida wore a long red cape over her dress to the winter wedding.
The superhero's bright blue cape fluttered behind him as he ran across the rooftop.
superhero cape — very common cultural collocation
In many countries, judges and university professors wear a ceremonial cape during formal events.
Aiko fastened the woollen cape at her neck before stepping out into the cold wind.
Unlike a cloak, a cape is shorter and has no arm slits — it simply drapes over the shoulders.
用法筆記
A cape differs from a cloak in that it is typically shorter (hanging from the shoulders to the elbow or waist rather than to the floor) and has no slits or holes for the arms — it simply drapes over the shoulders. Cloaks are longer, cover more of the body, and often have arm openings.
常見錯誤
cape — verb
1. to defend or argue in favour of someone or something, especially in a situation
to defend or argue in favour of someone or something, especially in a situation where they are being criticised.
The old fisherman would cape for his grandson no matter what anyone said about him.
cape for someone — dialectal phrasal pattern
In rural English dialects, people still say 'I'll cape you' to promise support in a quarrel.
Priya's grandfather used to cape for the family name whenever neighbours gossiped about them.
The villagers would cape for one another when outsiders came to cause trouble.
- defend
standard synonym; used in all registers unlike cape which is dialectal
- stick up for
informal, more common than cape; used across dialects
文法句型
cape + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is extremely rare in modern English and is mainly found in certain rural British dialects. It is not used in standard written English. Learners will rarely need to use it themselves but may encounter it in historical or regional literature.