witch's hat meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

witch's hat

noun

Etymology From their conical shape, resembling the hats that witches are popularly believed to have worn.

Hygrocybe conica, a small mushroom of the waxcap genus found in North America and Northern Europe.

Australia A traffic cone.

The applicant may need to reserve the parking spaces by the placement of witches hats or by arranging with businesses/clients on the day.2018 January 23, “Standard Conditions for On-street (Temporary) Parking Permit”, in City of Newcastle^(https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/getattachment/Council/Forms-Publications/Forms/Roads-On-Street-(temporary)-Parking-Application-Fo/Standard-Conditions-for-on-street-temp-parking-permit-2018.pdf.aspx?lang=en-AU):
Killara residents are fed up with picking up fallen witches hats on Stanhope Road.2017 April 6, Rebecca Parish, “No agencies own up as Killara locals search for witches hats owner”, in The Daily Telegraph:

1 more example

The test is conducted over a 20 metre course marked with lines or witches hats, with applicants running continuously between the points.2022 December 28 (last accessed), “Multi-stage fitness”, in NSW Police:

Alternative Alternative form of witch hat.

Tessie had a witch's hat and that made Noddy laugh. "You'll never look bad enough to be a witch!" he said.1995, Andrew Geeson, Noddy Annual, Egmont Books, →ISBN, page 51:
"Right here," said Lizzie, who had a witch's hat perched on her head. Underneath it she wore a loose black sweater, a long, tattered black skirt, black patterned hose, and ankle-high black boots.2010, Jennifer Weiner, Fly Away Home, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 332:

1 more example

Immediately Victoria took off her headband that had a witch's hat on it and gave it to the girl. “Now you are a proper witch,” she said. The girl smiled and went out trunk or treating.2017, Cynthia Staton, Life Lived Not Lost: A Journey of Hope, Morgan James Publishing, →ISBN, page 69:

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see witch, hat.

We had finally found the witch, who was wearing a green top hat that seemed a bit out of place. As she looked up towards us, the wind blew the witch's hat off of the witch's head.