caul Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun part of the peritoneum attached to the stomach and to the colon and covering the intestines
greater omentum; gastrocolic omentum.
noun the inner membrane of embryos in higher vertebrates (especially when covering the head at birth)
veil; embryonic membrane.

OE. calle, kelle, prob. fr. F. cale; cf. Ir. calla a veil.

A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net. Spenser.
(Anat.) The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum See Omentum.
The caul serves for warming of the lower belly. Ray.
A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth.
It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses. Grose.

I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas. Dickens.