diaper

American  

[dahy-per, dahy-uh-per] / ˈdaɪ pər, ˈdaɪ ə pər /

noun

1. a piece of cloth or other absorbent material folded and worn as underpants by a baby not yet toilet-trained.

2. Also called diaper cloth.  a linen or cotton fabric with a woven pattern of small, constantly repeated figures, as diamonds.

3. Also called diaper pattern.  such a pattern, originally used in the Middle Ages in weaving silk and gold.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put a diaper on.

2. to ornament with a diaperlike pattern.

diaper British  

/ ˈdaɪəpə /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): nappy.  a piece of soft material, esp towelling or a disposable material, wrapped around a baby in order to absorb its excrement

2. 1. a woven pattern on fabric consisting of a small repeating design, esp diamonds

   2. fabric having such a pattern

   3. such a pattern, used as decoration

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verb

1. (tr) to decorate with such a pattern

Other Word Forms

• undiapered adjective

Etymology

Origin of diaper

1300–50; Middle English diapre < Anglo-French dia(s)p(r)e < Medieval Latin diasprus made of diaper < Medieval Greek díaspros pure white, equivalent to Greek di- di- ³ ( def. ) + Medieval Greek áspros white

Example Sentences

But changing diapers, juggling deadlines and trying to make room for each other was hard.

From Los Angeles Times

They reached out to their community of moms and teachers, started a meal train and bought the family essentials, such as diapers and wipes for Benjamin’s months-old twin brothers.

From Los Angeles Times

After several years of underperformance, the sector offers pockets of value, whether in diapers, soda, candy or beer.

From The Wall Street Journal

I only found it incredibly presumptuous for him to believe he’d never again change a diaper.

From Los Angeles Times

Romero also said agents “wouldn’t let people get diapers or food for their kids.”

From Salon

Related Words

• nappy