bonnet

Bonnet is a noun with several related senses. It can denote a soft, brimless hat or head covering worn by babies and young children, often tied beneath the chin. In historical contexts, bonnets were also worn by women and girls as everyday or ceremonial head coverings, with a wide range of shapes and decorations. In modern fashion the term is most commonly associated with infant headwear.

In automotive usage, bonnet refers to the engine cover of a motor vehicle. In British English, the hinged panel that covers the engine bay is called the bonnet; in American English the same part is known as the hood. The bonnet is typically opened to access the engine or other components for maintenance or inspection, and it may be secured by a bonnet latch or release mechanism.

Etymology traces the word to Old French bonet, a diminutive form related to bonnet meaning a little hood or cap. Over time, the term broadened beyond its literal sense to cover both small caps worn on the head and the larger car component in regional usage. Today, bonnet remains a versatile term across clothing, culture, and automotive contexts.