drape

views updated May 18 2018

drape / drāp/ • v. [tr.] arrange (cloth or clothing) loosely or casually on or around something: she draped a shawl around her shoulders. ∎  (usu. be draped) adorn, cover, or wrap (someone or something) loosely with folds of cloth: the body was draped in a blanket. ∎  let (oneself or a part of one's body) rest somewhere in a casual or relaxed way: he draped an arm around her shoulders. ∎  [intr.] (of fabric) hang or be able to hang in loose, graceful folds: velvet drapes beautifully.• n. 1. (drapes) long curtains: Katherine pulled back the heavy velvet drapes. ∎ inf. a man's suit consisting of a long jacket and narrow trousers, as worn by a Teddy boy: teds dressed in Edwardian-style drapes and suede shoes. ∎  a cloth for covering parts of a patient's body other than that part on which a surgical operation is being performed.2. [in sing.] the way in which a garment or fabric hangs: by fixing the band lower down you obtain a fuller drape in the fabric.

drape

views updated May 23 2018

drape
A. †make into cloth XV;

B. cover with drapery XIX. In A — OF. draper, f. drap cloth :- late L. drappus, poss. of Celt. orig.; in B back-formation from DRAPERY, suggested by F. draper.
So draper XIV. — AN. draper, (O)F. drapier. drapery cloth, textile fabric XIV; business or shop of a draper XV; artistic arrangement of clothing; stuff with which an object is draped XVII. — (O)F. draperie.

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