caul

/kɔl/
noun
  1. A thin membrane that sometimes covers a baby's head at birth.
    • The old sailor believed his caul protected him from drowning at sea.
    • The baby was born with a caul over its face, which the midwife carefully removed.
    • In some cultures, being born with a caul is considered a sign of good luck.
  2. A part of the amnion, the inner membrane surrounding a fetus, that occasionally remains attached after birth.
    • She kept the dried caul as a family heirloom, passed down for generations.
    • Historically, people thought a caul had magical properties and would pay high prices for one.
    • The doctor explained that a caul is a harmless remnant of the amniotic sac.
What does "caul" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean