Main Difference
The main difference between Poncho and Cape is that the Poncho is a cape- or blanket-like outer garment and Cape is a sleeveless outer garment of varying lengths, sometimes attached to a coat.
Poncho
A poncho (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpontʃo]; punchu in Quechua; Mapudungun pontro, blanket, woolen fabric) is an outer garment designed to keep the body warm. A rain poncho is made from a watertight material designed to keep the body dry from the rain. Ponchos have been used by the Native American peoples of the Andes since pre-Hispanic time, from places now under the territory of Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Ecuador and are now considered typical South American garments.
Cape
A cape is a sleeveless outer garment, which drapes the wearer’s back, arms and chest, and fastens at the neck.
Poncho (noun)
A simple garment, made from a rectangle of cloth, with a slit in the middle for the head.
Poncho (noun)
A similar waterproof garment, today typically of rubber with a hood.
Cape (noun)
A piece or point of land, extending beyond the adjacent coast into a sea or lake; a promontory; a headland.
“chersonese|peninsula|point”
Cape (noun)
A sleeveless garment or part of a garment, hanging from the neck over the back, arms, and shoulders.
Cape (verb)
To incite or attract (a bull) to charge a certain direction, by waving a cape.
Cape (verb)
To head or point; to keep a course.
“The ship capes southwest by south.”
Cape (verb)
To skin an animal, particularly a deer.
Cape (verb)
To wear a cape.
Cape (verb)
To look for, search after.
“ux|en|Long may they search ere that they find that they after cape. (Geoffrey Chaucer)”
Cape (verb)
To gaze or stare.
“The captain just caped mindlessly into the distance as his ship was hit by volley after volley.”
“ux|en|This Nicholas ever caped upward into the air. (Geoffrey Chaucer)”
Cape (noun)
a sleeveless cloak, typically a short one
“he was wearing a flowing cape”
Cape (noun)
a part of a longer coat or cloak that falls loosely over the shoulders from the neckband
“the robe was decorated with gold lace on the fronts, cape, and hem”
Cape (noun)
the pelt from the head and neck of an animal, for preparation as a hunting trophy
“the hair on a cape for the taxidermist can spoil in warm weather”
Cape (noun)
a headland or promontory
“we could see the island from the cape”
Cape (noun)
the Cape of Good Hope.
Cape (noun)
Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Cape (noun)
the former Cape Province of South Africa.
Cape (verb)
(in bullfighting) taunt (the bull) by flourishing a cape
“the film shows a man expertly caping a charging bull”
Cape (verb)
skin the head and neck of (an animal) to prepare a hunting trophy.