Capsheaf

[Grogie]

I discovered this word today. It refers to the top sheaf of a shock or stack of grain. It also refers to the crowning point or most extreme instance of something. Examples would be the ''capsheaf of stupidity'' or the ''capsheaf of folly''.

[M. Henri Day]

... Examples would be the ''capsheaf of stupidity'' or the ''capsheaf of folly''.

Sort of like foolscap, in other words....

Henri

[Slava]

Ancient suggestion, which I was about to repeat but then found the original. I'll just toss in my two cents.

Capsheaf
Cap"sheaf`\, n. The top sheaf of a stack of grain: (fig.) the crowning or finishing part of a thing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

This definition doesn't include the idea of "most extreme incidence of something," but I like the idea of the finishing touch. This could really be used widely today:

"The President's signature put the capsheaf on his health care reform bill."

"Miss X's victory in the Miss Universe pageant was the capsheaf to all her endeavors on the beauty queen circuit."

"Winning the Nobel/Oscar in any category is often the capsheaf to one's career."

I like it. Now all I need to do is remember it.

[LukeJavan8]

Interesting MHD would site the site that must not be
named in references to fools' cap.

Glad to know a court jester's hat had a name.
Who'd a thunk it??? Go figure!


Even living in a predominently rural state, I 've never
heard this term. Strange one. Don't think it will get
much attention in everyday parlance.