I. ˈdres verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English dressen, from Middle French dresser, from Old French drecier, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin directiare, from Latin directus direct, past participle of dirigere to direct, from di- (from dis- apart) + -rigere (from regere to rule) — more at dis- , right
transitive verb
1. : to make or set straight : put in proper position: as
a. now dialect : erect , prick
the cat dressed up her ears at the sound
b. : to arrange (troops, equipment) in a straight line and at proper intervals : align
dress the ranks
c. : to place the actors on (a stage) so as to create a pleasing and well-balanced scene
2. archaic : to dress down
3. : to put clothes on : provide with clothing : clothe
she dressed the child in a snowsuit
she dresses her family on a small budget
4. : to cover with, array in, or add something that improves the appearance or heightens the effectiveness of : add decorative details or accessories to : embellish
the ruins, which are dressed by the moon in even more compelling mystery — P.E.Deutschman
then I dress my hair with the little chrysanthemums — Amy Lowell
— often used with up
she dressed up her black dress with rhinestone clips
cars dressed up with chrome
needlessly rebinding old manuscripts and incunabula in order to dress up books — Edith Diehl
5.
a. : to provide with the suitable furnishings for a particular purpose or occasion : make ready : outfit
dressed the table for supper — George Meredith
besides doubling and tripling as performers, everyone took a turn dressing the ring for the other acts — Bill Ballantine
— compare window dressing
b. : to cover (the hooped curd) with cloth in cheese making
6.
a. : to apply dressings, bandages, or therapeutic materials to (as wounds)
b.
(1) : to arrange (the hair) by combing, brushing, curling
(2) : to groom and curry (an animal)
c. : to make ready or put in order for use or service: as
(1) : to prepare (a fishhook) for fishing ; also : prepare (flies or bait) for use on a hook
(2) : to prepare (food animals) for market usually by bleeding and cleaning — often used with out
bleed and dress out the animal so that no meat would be wasted — Frances Judge
(3) : cultivate , tend
dress a crop
dress a field
specifically : to apply manure or fertilizer to — compare topdress
(4) chiefly Britain : pack
dress the impression cylinder of a printing press
also : to attach the printing surface to (the plate cylinder of a press)
d.
(1) : to free (as grain or ore) of impurities or irregularities ; specifically : to sift (flour) so as to remove bran flakes and insure even granulation
(2) : to remove worn-out abrasive from (an abrasive wheel)
7. : to put through a finishing operation or process: as
a. : to cure (fur skins) by softening, fleshing, oiling, and drumming ; sometimes : tan 1
b. : to give a smooth or glossy finish to (as leather, textiles, pottery)
c. : to make trim and smooth (lumber, stone, a gem)
d. : to shape (as a tool) by grinding
e. : to impart a surface finish to (a racetrack) especially by scraping
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to put on clothing
he dressed quickly
she dressed warmly for skiing
b. : to put on or wear one's best clothes or formal clothes
she is dressing for the opera
— often used with up
he dresses up only when guests are coming
c. : to dress elaborately or bizarrely
dressing up for a masquerade ball
d. : to wear clothes
she always dresses in good taste
2. of a food animal : to weigh after being dressed
the chicken dressed four pounds
— often used with out
the steer dressed out to 70 percent of his weight
3. : to align oneself with the next soldier in a line to make the line straight
•
- dress one's droddum
- dress ship
II. noun
( -es )
1. obsolete : the action of making right or setting straight : redress
2. : utilitarian or ornamental covering for the human body: as
a. : clothing and accessories suitable to a specific purpose or occasion
a soldier in battle dress
in pilgrimage dress on his way to Mecca — R.C.Doty
b. : clothing characteristic of a particular period, geographic area, or nation
18th century dress
Oriental dress
Arab dress
c. : style of clothing : manner of wearing clothes
conservative in dress
thoughtless about his dress
3.
a. : an outer garment for females or small children usually made in a one-piece style of bodice and skirt
b. : a two-piece garment consisting of blouse and skirt or jacket and skirt
4. : covering, adornment, or appearance that is appropriate or peculiar to a particular time or season
mountains, proud and glistening in full winter dress — Marcia Davenport
as
a. : a particular state of plumage of a bird
breeding dress
summer dress
b. : the style of makeup and typography of a newspaper or periodical
c. : the particular form under which something is presented
routine love story in pioneer dress — Joan S. Bishop
the whole Bible appeared in English dress — I.M.Price
no one will object to ornateness if it is the proper dress for your thoughts and feelings — A.T.Weaver
III. adjective
Etymology: dress (II)
1. : relating to or used for a dress
dress material
dress pattern
dress buttons
2.
a. : suitable for a ceremonial or formal occasion
dress clothes
dress shoes
— compare dress suit , dress uniform
b. : suitable for wear or use with ceremonial or formal clothing
a dress sword
a dress watch
3. : requiring or permitting formal dress
the graduation will be a dress affair
— compare dress parade , dress rehearsal