drape

[dreyp]

verb (used with object)

draped, draping 

1. to cover or hang with cloth or other fabric, especially in graceful folds; adorn with drapery.

2. to adjust (curtains, clothes, etc.) into graceful folds, attractive lines, etc.

3. to arrange, hang, or let fall carelessly.

   Don't drape your feet over the chair!

4. Medicine/Medical, Surgery.,  to place cloth so as to surround (a part to be examined, treated, or operated upon).

5. (in reinforced-concrete construction) to hang (reinforcement) in a certain form between two points before pouring the concrete.

6. to put a black cravat on (a flagstaff ) as a token of mourning.

verb (used without object)

draped, draping 

1. to hang, fall, or become arranged in folds, as drapery.

   This silk drapes well.

noun

1. a curtain or hanging of heavy fabric and usually considerable length, especially either of a pair for covering a window and drawn open and shut horizontally.

2. either of a pair of similar curtains extending or draped at the sides of a window, French doors, or the like as decoration.

3. manner or style of hanging.

   the drape of a skirt.

drape

/ dreɪp /

verb

1. (tr) to hang or cover with flexible material or fabric, usually in folds; adorn

2. to hang or arrange or be hung or arranged, esp in folds

3. (tr) to place casually and loosely; hang

   she draped her arm over the back of the chair

noun

1. (often plural) a cloth or hanging that covers something in folds; drapery

2. the way in which fabric hangs

Other Word Forms

• drapable adjective
• drapeable adjective
• drapability noun
• drapeability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of drape¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French draper, derivative of drap cloth ( drab ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of drape¹

C15: from Old French draper, from drap piece of cloth; see _drab ¹

Example Sentences

He refers to his space as a “mouse nest,” a darkened corner he has created by draping curtains around his bunk bed.

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The woman is draped in a grassy gown highlighted with golden stripes.

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North of Copenhagen is the city of Elsinore, home to the castle where Hamlet takes place, with its wandering ghosts, ill-advised eavesdropping behind the drapes, conversations with skulls, and deadly duels in iambic pentameter.

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The founder’s calm gaze had always been a comfort to her, but the portrait, too, was draped in a sheet.

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The Widow Ashton nodded and draped herself around Lady Constance.

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Related Words

• cloak 
• clothe 
• cover 
• dangle 
• don 
• dress 
• enclose 
• envelop 
• fold 
• hang 
• sprawl 
• swathe 
• wrap