I. ˈdapə(r) adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English dapyr, from Middle Dutch dapper quick, agile, energetic, strong; akin to Old High German tapfar heavy, weighty, Old Norse dapr sad, Old Slavic debelǔ thick
1.
a. : neat and trim in appearance : spruce , smart
dapper in a brown suit and green bow tie — M.W.Straight
b. : excessively spruce and stylish
this old giant, intellectually and spiritually shaggy and unkempt … makes his splendid sons seem almost dapper — Dorothy C. Fisher
2. : alert and lively in movement and manners : brisk , jaunty
a dapper wave of the hand
— usually used of persons small or slight of build
• dap·per·ly adverb
• dap·per·ness noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: dap (I) + -er
: one that daps: as
a. : one that fishes by dapping
b. : bufflehead
c. : a circular saw that daps timbers