Dictionary

mad-cap en · ADJ

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative, not-comparable) Alternative form of madcap.
   alt of madcap
   • With this shift in both what shows are being made, and in what viewers desire, the genre hearteningly appears to be reverting to its roots of being an entertainment spectacular, giving the space for novelty and mad-cap amusement that's presented in a warm and humorous way. After a discordant patch, it's in tune again – even if some auditionees, as ever, are not. 2021 September 15, Laura Martin, “How Talent Shows Became TV’s Most Bizarre Programmes”, in BBC Online, archived from the original on 22 Jul 2025:
   • [T]hose fairy times when I was a mad-cap boy, crowding every enjoyment into the present moment; […] 1808 January 25, [Washington Irving [et al.]], “Monday, January 25, 1808. From My Elbow-chair.”, in Salmagundi: Or, The Whim-whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq. and Others, number 20, London: J[ohn] Limbird, […], published 1824, →OCLC, page 137, column 2:
   • [H]is mad-cap follies, / VVhich ſtill like Hydras heads grovv thicker on him. 1610–1616 (date written), Iohn [i.e., John] Fletcher, Monsieur Thomas. A Comedy. […], London: […] Thomas Harper, for Iohn Waterson, […], published 1639, →OCLC, Act I, scene iii, signature [C4], recto:

mad-cap en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of madcap.
   alt of madcap
   • Come-on you mad-cap: Ile to the Ale-houſe vvith you preſently; […] c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v], page 27, column 1:
   • There vvas then in preſence, a certaine old Knight, called Sir Hugh Linne, a good ſouldier, but a very mad-cap, & one that liued chiefely vpon the liberalitie of noble men; […] 1599, I. Haywarde [i.e., John Hayward], The First Part of the Life and Raigne of King Henrie the IIII. […], London: […] by [Edward Allde and T. Judson for] Iohn Wolfe, […], →OCLC, page 19:
   • VVhy vvhat a mad-cap hath heauen lent vs here? c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 1, column 2:
   • Bel[lamont]. […] [W]hat place is this? / May[bery]. Bedlam iſt not? / Bel. VVhere theſe mad-men are, I neuer vvas amongſt them, as you loue me Gentlemen, lets ſee vvhat Greekes are vvithin. / […] / Bell. Pray beſtovv your name ſir vpon vs. / Full. My name is Full-moone. / Bell. You vvell deſerue this office good maiſter Full-moone: and vvhat mad-caps haue you in your houſe. c. 1601 (date written), Thomas Decker [i.e., Thomas Dekker]; Iohn Webster [i.e., John Webster], North-ward Hoe. […], London: […] G[eorge] Eld, published 1607, →OCLC, Act IV, signature F3, recto:
   • Lord, that ſuch a Mad-Cap as I ſhould ever live to be jealous! 1667 March 12 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), John Dryden, Secret-Love, or The Maiden-Queen: […], London: […] Henry Herringman, […], published 1668, →OCLC, Act III, page 34:

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