A soft hat that can be crushed flat; spec. a hat constructed with a spring so as to collapse and assume a flat shape; an opera-hat.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xix. Folding his crush hat to lay his elbow on.
1848. Thackeray, Bk. Snobs, i. The usual attire of a gentleman, viz., pumps, a gold waistcoat, a crush hat, a sham frill, and a white choker.
1891. Punch, 25 April, 201/2. Smart new boy in cloak-room has noted gentlemen shutting up their crush hats, and promptly flattens de Jones’s best silk topper.
