lappet

American  

[lap-it] / ˈlæp ɪt /

noun

1. a small lap, flap, or loosely hanging part, especially of a garment or headdress.

2. a projecting, lobelike structure in certain invertebrate animals.

3. Ornithology. a wattle or other fleshy process on a bird's head.

4. Textiles.

   1. a rack or bar containing needles, situated at the front of the reed, and used in the production of figured patterns.

   2. an ornamented fabric produced by lappet weaving.

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lappet British  

/ ˈlæpɪt /

noun

1. a small hanging flap or piece of lace, etc, such as one dangling from a headdress

2. zoology a lobelike hanging structure, such as the wattle on a bird's head

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Other Word Forms

• lappeted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lappet

First recorded in 1565–75; lap ¹ + -et

Example Sentences

Crocodile fish: As the species lurks around sandy ocean floors, the iris lappet, or lacey covering drooping over its eye, obscures the pupil and improves fish’s overall camouflage.

From Scientific American • May 19, 2021

The lappet is a second time to be gathered at the edge, and sewed down as fast as possible.

From The Ladies' Work-Table Book Containing Clear and Practical Instructions in Plain and Fancy Needlework, Embroidery, Knitting, Netting and Crochet by Anonymous

While singing, it draws itself up on the bough, spreads widely out the umbrella-formed crest, waves its glossy breast lappet, and then, in giving vent to its loud, piping note, bows its head slowly forward.

From The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America by Kingston, William Henry Giles

"You 'll have only time to dress,—dress;" and he touched the lappet of his coat, for he was fairly driven to pantomime to express himself.

From Tony Butler by Lever, Charles James

He had silver buckles to his shoes, and a tiny opal breast-pin on the lappet of his coat, where the white flower goes at weddings.

From Oswald Bastable and Others by Brock, C. E. (Charles Edmund)