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

Fathers and daughters embraced under string lights and drapes, as Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” played, a song created by Wonder originally for his own daughter.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on MarketWatch

She’s also draped in fur—standard attire for a black bear.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Volunteers draped in rain ponchos and high-visibility vests used brushes to remove an old layer of protective coating from the mural wall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Delaite wore a helmet, a camera strapped to his chest, and a water supply draped around his back.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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