What does "headpiece" mean?

Headpiece: A cap of defense; especially, an open one, as distinguished from the closed helmet of the Middle Ages.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Understanding; mental faculty. Eumenes had the best headpiece of all Alexander's captains. Prideaux.
  2. 3.An engraved ornament at the head of a chapter, or of a page.

Sources