nape

[ neyp, nap ]

/ neɪp, næp /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR nape ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the back of the neck (usually used in the phrase nape of the neck).

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“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

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Origin of nape

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Words nearby nape

nap, napa, napaeae, napalm, napata, nape, naperville, napery, naphtali, naphtalite, naphth-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nape

His gray hair curls at the nape, but he is as graceful as he was in 1949, his timing as immaculate.
Marty Reisman: The Magical Hustler Who Saved a Classic Game|Harold Evans|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Oref—The homefront, although literally, the back of the neck, the nape.
New Words For A New War|Gil Troy|November 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
From there, the pain shoots out toward my temple and down to the nape of my neck.
Presidents Can Have Migraines|Dana Goldstein|July 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Soft feminine scents rose from her hair; he saw the dark tendrils over the nape of her neck.
A Bed of Roses|W. L. George

This variety has the back and nape nearly a uniform pinkish ruddy with but little streaking.
The Bird Book|Chester A. Reed
The one difference that I can detect is in the coloration of the nape.
Mammals Obtained by Dr. Curt von Wedel from the Barrier Beach of Tamaulipas, Mexico|E. Raymond Hall
So violent was the blow that he could not extricate his dagger from the man's spine, but had to leave it sticking in his nape.
Renaissance in Italy Vol. 3|John Addington Symonds
I am in doubt as to the meaning of bghn; perhaps the two words stand for joint at the nape of the neck.
The Bbur-nma in English|Babur, Emperor of Hindustan

British Dictionary definitions for nape (1 of 2)

nape¹

/ (neɪp) /

noun

the back of the neckRelated adjective: nuchal

Word Origin for nape

C13: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for nape (2 of 2)

nape²

/ (neɪp) /

verb

(tr) US military slang to attack with napalm

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for nape

nape

[ nāp, năp ]

n.

The back of the neck.

nape

noun

QUIZZES

Origin of nape

Words nearby nape

Words related to nape

Example sentences from the Web for nape

British Dictionary definitions for nape (1 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for nape

British Dictionary definitions for nape (2 of 2)

verb

Medical definitions for nape

n.