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

It has a long band or lappet, such as the gentlemen then wore affixed to their hats.

From Dress as a Fine Art With Suggestions on Children's Dress by Merrifield, Mary Philadelphia

I saw something white poke its way out from under the lappet; and in another moment an object was revealed that, though revealed, I could not understand, nor could I distinguish what it was.

From A Book of Ghosts by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

Around the circumference of the disk are eight eye-specks, each formed by a small tube protected under a little lappet or hood rising from the upper surface of the disk.

From Seaside Studies in Natural History Marine Animals of Massachusetts Bay. Radiates. by Agassiz, Alexander

First, it appeared to me as if the lappet of my overcoat pocket were in movement, being raised.

From A Book of Ghosts by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)