How Do You Spell BEARSKIN?

Pronunciation: [bˈe͡əskɪn] (IPA)

The word "bearskin" is spelled with the letter "a" despite the fact that it's pronounced with an "e" sound. This is due to a phenomenon in English spelling known as the "Great Vowel Shift." Essentially, the pronunciation of some vowels shifted over time, but the spelling of the word remained the same. In "bearskin," the "ea" was pronounced as a long "e" sound in Old English, but shifted to its current pronunciation of "air" during the Great Vowel Shift. The word is pronounced /ˈbɛəskɪn/ in IPA phonetic transcription.

BEARSKIN Meaning and Definition

1. Bearskin: noun

   1. A tall, cylindrical, and biologically derived hat made from the hide of a bear, typically worn as part of a ceremonial military uniform. The bearskin hat is particularly associated with the British Army's Foot Guards regiments, including the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, and the Grenadier Guards. The hat's distinct appearance stems from its dense, thick fur, often in a rich black or dark brown color, forming a rounded shape with a flat top and a turned-up brim. Historically, bearskin hats were worn as a symbol of prestige and status by officers in many European armies.

   2. By extension, "bearskin" can refer to the actual hide or pelt of a bear itself. Bears have long been hunted for their fur and skins, which were used in various forms, such as rugs, blankets, and clothing. These pelts were highly valued for their warmth, durability, and aesthetic qualities.

   3. In a broader sense, "bearskin" is used metaphorically or figuratively to describe something resembling or associated with a bear or its characteristics. For example, in literature and folklore, "bearskin" may allude to the ruggedness, fierceness, or brute strength often attributed to bears. Similarly, "bearskin" can refer to a person's thick, coarse, or untamed hair, reminiscent of a bear's fur.

Common Misspellings for BEARSKIN

• herskin
• barkin
• bearsikin
• baerskin
• kearsin

Etymology of BEARSKIN

The word "bearskin" is composed of two elements: "bear" and "skin".

The term "bear" originates from the Old English word "bera". This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "berô", which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*bher-", meaning "brown" or "bright". "Bear" refers to the large mammal of the family Ursidae and is widely known for its thick, shaggy fur.

The term "skin" comes from the Old Norse word "skinn" and Old English word "scinn", which both refer to animal hide or the external covering of an organism.

Thus, the compound word "bearskin" literally means the skin or hide of a bear.

Similar spelling words for BEARSKIN

• Bergin,
• bergen,
• bergman,
• berson,
• bergsma,
• bergan,
• berkman,
• bergson,
• bergner.

Plural form of BEARSKIN is BEARSKINS