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nappy

1
[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /
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noun Chiefly Scot.
liquor, especially ale.
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Origin of nappy

1
First recorded in 1425–75; origin uncertain; probably from late Middle English noppi; see nap2, -y1

Words nearby nappy

Napoli, nappa, nappe, napper, napping, nappy, nappy rash, naprapathy, Naprosyn, naproxen, Napster

Other definitions for nappy (2 of 4)

nappy2

or nap·pie

[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /
noun, plural nap·pies.
a small shallow dish, usually round and often of glass, with a flat bottom and sloping sides, for serving food.

Origin of nappy

2
First recorded in 1730–35; Middle English nap, Old English hnæpf, hnæp “cup, bowl” (further origin uncertain) + -y2

Other definitions for nappy (3 of 4)

nappy3
[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /
adjective, nap·pi·er, nap·pi·est.
Sometimes Offensive. (especially of a Black person's hair) tightly curled; kinky.
covered with nap; downy.

Origin of nappy

3
First recorded in 1490–1500; nap2 + -y1

OTHER WORDS FROM nappy

nap·pi·ness, noun

Other definitions for nappy (4 of 4)

nappy4
[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /
noun, plural nap·pies.British.
a diaper.

Origin of nappy

4
First recorded in 1925–30; nap(kin) + -y2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

learn more about nappy

nappy hairNappy hair is historically used as a derogatory term to describe the hair of black people, especially women, many of whom have re-appropriated the term.
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Words related to nappy

downy, frizzy, hairy, kinky, woolly, furry, napped, velutinous

How to use nappy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (1 of 2)

nappy1
/ (ˈnæpɪ) /
noun plural -pies
British a piece of soft material, esp towelling or a disposable material, wrapped around a baby in order to absorb its urine and excrementAlso called: napkin US and Canadian name: diaper

Word Origin for nappy

C20: changed from napkin

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (2 of 2)

nappy2
/ (ˈnæpɪ) /
adjective -pier or -piest
having a nap; downy; fuzzy
(of alcoholic drink, esp beer)
  1. having a head; frothy
  2. strong or heady
dialect, mainly British slightly intoxicated; tipsy
(of a horse) jumpy or irritable; nervy
noun
any strong alcoholic drink, esp heady beer

Derived forms of nappy

nappiness, noun
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
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