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Balaclava
Definitions
- 1 A town in St. Elizabeth parish, Jamaica.
- 2 A locality in the Wingecarribee council area, south eastern New South Wales, Australia.
- 3 A suburb of the City of Port Phillip, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- 4 Alternative spelling of Balaklava alt-of, alternative
- 1 A type of warm headgear covering the neck, head, and often part of the face, with apertures left as necessary, often made out of wool.
- 2 a cap that is close-fitting and woolen and covers all of the head but the face wordnet
- 3 A ski mask with holes for the eyes and, sometimes, the nose and mouth, which may be rolled up and worn like a toque or pulled over the face for greater protection. Canada, UK
"George Ronald Waite, 33, known as Balaclava Bill because of the dark blue woollen hood he wore while robbing seven banks of $46,200 over the past two years, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in Kingston Penitentiary."
Etymology
From the city of Balaklava in Crimea, from Ottoman Turkish بالقلاوه (modern Turkish balıklava), alteration of بالقلاغه (balıklaga, “fishing ground”). During the Crimean War the British troops suffered from cold due to improper clothing. When the news spread in the home front after the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, the people began knitting warm clothing for the soldiers, including woollen caps to be worn under the helmet, which were named balaclavas by the troops.
From Balaklava, from Russian Балакла́ва (Balakláva), from Ottoman Turkish بالقلاوه (balıklava), from بالقلاغه (balıklaga, “fishing ground”) * (Jamaica): From Balaklava or the Battle of Balaclava.
See also for "balaclava"
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