drapery

American  

[drey-puh-ree] / ˈdreɪ pə ri /

noun

plural

draperies

1. coverings, hangings, clothing, etc., of fabric, especially as arranged in loose, graceful folds.

2. Often draperies. long curtains, usually of heavy fabric and often designed to open and close across a window.

3. the draping or arranging of hangings, clothing, etc., in graceful folds.

4. Art. hangings, clothing, etc., as represented in sculpture or painting.

5. cloths or textile fabrics collectively.

6. British.

   1. dry goods.

   2. the stock, shop, or business of a draper.

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drapery British  

/ ˈdreɪpərɪ /

noun

1. fabric or clothing arranged and draped

2. (often plural) curtains or hangings that drape

3. the occupation or shop of a draper

4. fabrics and cloth collectively

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Other Word Forms

• draperied adjective
• undraperied adjective

Etymology

Origin of drapery

1250–1300; Middle English draperie < Old French, equivalent to drap cloth + -erie -ery

Example Sentences

Restorations of unknown date have resulted in the exposure of under drawing in certain areas, like the drapery of Salome, and a blurring of the line distinguishing the Virgin’s pillow from the gilded ground.

From The Wall Street Journal

The gleaming surface of the projecting figure and a background of sleeping soldiers, angels, drapery and clouds embody the inexplicable moment.

From The Wall Street Journal

The darkness of the woods and muddy terrain was just as effective scenery as any of the bedsheet drapery or wooden flats that had been set up.

From Los Angeles Times

The large, angled handkerchief is a subtle formal echo of the drapery opening diagonally above Mariana’s head.

From Los Angeles Times

The recycled curtain material - "delft blue floral, vintage rose and teal, and rich damask burnt orange drapery" - was of a style used between the 1950s and 1990s during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

From BBC

Related Words

• decoration
• drape
• screen
• shade
• shroud
• shutter
• veil