subs. (old).—A hat. [From Latin castor, a beaver, hats having formerly been made of beaver’s fur.] For synonyms, see GOLGOTHA.
1640. ENTICK, London, II., 175. Beaver hats, Demi-CASTERS. [M.]
1754. B. MARTIN, English Dictionary, 2 ed. CASTOR: lat., 1, a beaver, a beast like an otter. 2, a fine hat made of its fur.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, Act ii., Sc. 5. Jerry. (Walks about, and, by mistake, takes LOGIC’S hat, which he puts on.) Damn the cards! Log. (Following JERRY, and rescuing CASTOR.) Don’t nibble the felt, Jerry!
1857. O. W. HOLMES, The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, ch. viii. The last effort of decayed fortune is expended in smoothing its dilapidated CASTOR. The hat is the ultimum morieus of ‘respectability.’
1860. Morning Post, Jan. 30. Such as tin for money, CASTOR for hat, brick for good fellow, gemman for gentleman.
