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

As prisoners exited a Red Cross bus in Ramallah, many draped in traditional Keffiyeh scarves, they were met by raucous cheers - but many looked pale and gaunt, with some struggling to walk.

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As prisoners exited a Red Cross bus in Ramallah, many draped in traditional Keffiyeh scarves, they looked pale and gaunt, with some struggling to walk.

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They strode purposefully into the Hampden sunshine with Ukraine flags draped over their shoulders, the hopes of a traumatised nation in their hearts and the eyes of the world upon them.

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Clear skies, calm winds and a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks draped in snow - that is the autumn hikers on Mount Everest have come to love.

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And he once interrupted a meeting to wax lyrical about the changes he had made to the White House Cabinet Room, including a long aside about the new drapes.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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