What is "caul"

Caul \Caul\ (k[add]l), n. [OE. calle, kelle, prob. fr. F. cale; cf. Ir. calla a veil.]

1. A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net.
   --Spenser.

2. (Anat.) The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum. See Omentum.

   The caul serves for the warming of the lower belly.
   --Ray.

3. A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth; -- called also a veil.

   It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chrysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses.
   --Grose.

   I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas.
   --Dickens.

early 14c., "close-fitting cap worn by women," from French cale "cap," back-formation from calotte, from Italian callotta, from Latin calautica "type of female headdress with pendent lappets," a foreign word of unknown origin. Medical use, in reference to various membranes, dates to late 14c. Especially of the amnion enclosing the fetus before birth from 1540s. This, if the child is born draped in it, was supersititously supposed to protect against drowning (cauls were advertised for sale in British newspapers through World War I).

n. 1 (context historical English) A style of close-fitting circular cap worn by women in the sixteenth century and later, often made of linen. (from 14th c.) 2 (context anatomy obsolete except in specific senses English) A membrane. (14th-17th c.) 3 The thin membrane which covers the lower intestines; the omentum. (from 14th c.) 4 The amnion which encloses the foetus before birth, especially that part of it which sometimes shrouds a baby’s head at birth (traditionally considered to be good luck). (from 16th c.) 5 The surface of a press that makes contact with panel product, especially a removable plate or sheet. 6 (context woodworking English) A strip or block of wood used to distribute or direct clamping force. 7 (context culinary English) (w: Caul fat).

1. n. part of the peritoneum attached to the stomach and to the colon and covering the intestines [syn: greater omentum, gastrocolic omentum]

2. the inner embryonic membrane of higher vertebrates (especially when covering the head at birth) [syn: veil, embryonic membrane]

A caul or cowl (, literally, "helmeted head") is a piece of membrane that can cover a newborn's head and face. Birth with a caul is rare, occurring in fewer than 1 in 80,000 births. The caul is harmless and is immediately removed by the physician or midwife upon delivery of the child.

The "en-caul" birth, not to be confused with the "caul" birth, occurs when the infant is born inside the entire amniotic sac. The sac balloons out at birth, with the amniotic fluid and child remaining inside the unbroken or partially broken membrane.

A caul is an historical headress worn by women that covers tied-up hair. A fancy caul could be made of satin, velvet, fine silk or brocade, although a simple caul would commonly be made of white linen or cotton. The caul could be covered by a crespine or a hairnet to secure it from falling off.

During the second half of the thirteenth century, network caps, more properly called "Cauls", came into fashion for ladies' wear. These headdresses were shaped like bags, made of gold, silver or silk network. At first they fit fairly close to the head, the edge, band or rim being placed high up on the forehead, to show some hair on the temples and around the nape; they enclosed the head and hair, and were secured by a circlet or fillet. Jewels were often set at intervals in the band, also at the intersections of the cross-bars.

Caul may refer to:

• Caul, a thin, filmy membrane that covers or partly covers a newborn mammal immediately after birth
• Caul (headgear), a historical headdress worn by women that covers tied-up hair
• Caul fat, the membrane around food animals' internal organs
• A curved batten, usually used in pairs for applying even pressure across wide workpieces
• Term for greater omentum in animals