nappe

[ nap ]

noun

1. Geology. a large mass of rock thrust a considerable distance along a nearly horizontal fault plane or in an overturned anticlinal fold.
2. Geometry. one of the two equal sections of a cone.

nappe

/ næp /

noun

1. a large sheet or mass of rock, commonly a recumbent fold, that has been thrust from its original position by earth movements
2. the sheet of water that flows over a dam or weir
3. geometry either of the two parts into which a cone (sense 2) is divided by the vertex

Word History and Origins

Origin of nappe¹

1905–10, Americanism; < French: literally, tablecloth, cloth; Old French nappe, nape < Latin mappa; napkin

Word History and Origins

Origin of nappe¹

C20: from French: tablecloth

Example Sentences

Une aultre nappe, ouvraige de Tournay, contenant vii aulnes de long iii aulnes de large.

From Project Gutenberg

Une riche nappe damasse de grandes fleurs, de xii aulnes quart de long et iiii de largeur.

From Project Gutenberg

Quelques instants aprs, le trs simple repas qu'avait command le jeune comte tait proprement servi sur une nappe bien blanche.

From Project Gutenberg