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Synonyms

nape

American  
[neyp, nap] / neɪp, næp /

noun

  1. the back of the neck (usually used in the phrasenape of the neck ).

nape 1 British  
/ neɪp /

noun

  1. the back of the neck

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
nape 2 British  
/ neɪp /

verb

  1. slang:military (tr) to attack with napalm

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nape

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her long tresses are twisted in an easy crown, flowing from the crest of her forehead to the nape of her neck and signaling her noble status.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2024

The hair at the nape of the neck, which is typically shorter, kinkier and considered more difficult to style.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2023

Stroking the bird’s nape, Mr. al-Humaidi gently removed a GPS device — another safety net — and rearranged its feathers with care.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2022

A peruke was made of long hair, often with curls on the sides, and was sometimes drawn back on the nape of the neck.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2021

Then he reached in and briefly touched the nape of the boy’s neck, where the hair was soft.

From "The Fighting Ground" by Avi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.