I. ˈdrāp verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English drapen, from Middle French draper, from drap cloth — more at drab (cloth)
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to make into cloth : weave
2. : to cover or adorn with or as if with or swathe in or as if in folds of cloth
great cypress trees draped with Spanish moss
draping the building fronts with bunting
as
a. : to cover following the contours of
dark chestnuts drape the mountainside — F.L.Lucas
b. : enfold
the child was draped in expensive linens
draping himself in abstruse thought
c. : to hang or put on (as a garment) casually or loosely
d. : to let (as oneself) sprawl
draping garlands about the singer's neck
draped her furs over her arm
several of the regulars had draped themselves around the bar
e. : to shroud or enclose with surgical drapes
drape a patient for operation
3. : to arrange in flowing lines or folds or according to a pattern or design
draping a satin dress to minimize heavy hips
a cleverly draped suit
intransitive verb
: to fall in or into folds, especially into graceful folds
this silk drapes beautifully
often : to become arranged in decorative folds
a full skirt that drapes to a huge bow
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: partly from French drap cloth; partly from drape (I)
1. archaic : cloth , textiles
2.
a. : a drapery especially for a window ; especially : overdrape
b. : a sterile covering used in an operating room (as about the operative site or between the anesthetist and the surgical team) to decrease the chance of contamination — usually used in plural
3.
a. : arrangement in or of folds
the classic drape of her gown
often : decorative fold or folds in a garment or hanging
a soft drape in front flattered her flat chest
b. : the property of falling in graceful folds
a silk with excellent drape
4.
a. : the cut or hang of clothing (as of a man's double-breasted suit jacket)
b. slang
(1) : a man's suit with jacket of unusual length and exaggerated cut sometimes popular with adolescents — compare zoot suit
(2) : a wearer of a drape