lappet

American  

[lap-it] / ˈlæp ɪt /

noun

1. a small lap, flap, or loosely hanging part, especially of a garment or headdress.

2. a projecting, lobelike structure in certain invertebrate animals.

3. Ornithology. a wattle or other fleshy process on a bird's head.

4. Textiles.

   1. a rack or bar containing needles, situated at the front of the reed, and used in the production of figured patterns.

   2. an ornamented fabric produced by lappet weaving.

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lappet British  

/ ˈlæpɪt /

noun

1. a small hanging flap or piece of lace, etc, such as one dangling from a headdress

2. zoology a lobelike hanging structure, such as the wattle on a bird's head

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Other Word Forms

• lappeted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lappet

First recorded in 1565–75; lap ¹ + -et

Example Sentences

Crocodile fish: As the species lurks around sandy ocean floors, the iris lappet, or lacey covering drooping over its eye, obscures the pupil and improves fish’s overall camouflage.

From Scientific American • May 19, 2021

“Look here, young man,” said Uncle Luke, taking Leslie by the lappet of the coat.

From The Haute Noblesse A Novel by Fenn, George Manville

While singing, it draws itself up on the bough, spreads widely out the umbrella-formed crest, waves its glossy breast lappet, and then, in giving vent to its loud, piping note, bows its head slowly forward.

From The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America by Kingston, William Henry Giles

I saw something white poke its way out from under the lappet; and in another moment an object was revealed that, though revealed, I could not understand, nor could I distinguish what it was.

From A Book of Ghosts by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

Around the circumference of the disk are eight eye-specks, each formed by a small tube protected under a little lappet or hood rising from the upper surface of the disk.

From Seaside Studies in Natural History Marine Animals of Massachusetts Bay. Radiates. by Agassiz, Alexander