nappy

¹

[nap-ee]

noun

Chiefly Scot.

1. liquor, especially ale.

nappy

²

Or nap·pie

[nap-ee]

noun

plural

nappies 

1. a small shallow dish, usually round and often of glass, with a flat bottom and sloping sides, for serving food.

nappy

³

[nap-ee]

adjective

nappier, nappiest 

1. Sometimes Offensive.,  (especially of a Black person's hair) tightly curled; kinky.

2. covered with nap; downy.

nappy

⁴

[nap-ee]

noun

British.

plural

nappies 

1. a diaper.

nappy

¹

/ ˈnæpɪ /

adjective

1. having a nap; downy; fuzzy

2. 1. having a head; frothy

   2. strong or heady

3. dialect,  slightly intoxicated; tipsy

4. (of a horse) jumpy or irritable; nervy

noun

1. any strong alcoholic drink, esp heady beer

nappy

²

/ ˈnæpɪ /

noun

1. Also called: napkin. US and Canadian name: diaper. a piece of soft material, esp towelling or a disposable material, wrapped around a baby in order to absorb its urine and excrement

Other Word Forms

• nappiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nappy¹

First recorded in 1425–75; origin uncertain; probably from late Middle English noppi; nap ², -y ¹

Origin of nappy²

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

Origin of nappy³

First recorded in 1490–1500; nap ² + -y ¹

Origin of nappy⁴

First recorded in 1925–30; nap(kin) + -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of nappy¹

C20: changed from _napkin

Example Sentences

Last month, Cardi B released her long-awaited sophomore album - Am I The Drama? - issuing a public plea for people to buy it so she can afford nappies.

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Skye Tucker fell from a nappy changing table at Little Clouds Nursery in Altens, Aberdeen, in January this year - just 90 minutes into her first day.

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It will also support people with nappies, baby and family toiletries for a nominal fee, but that can be waived in certain circumstances.

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It gathers donations for refugees such as nappies, pasta, milk and clothes.

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Natalie said after launching her organisation, she had spoken to families whose children were in school wearing incontinence pads or adult nappies designed for the elderly thanks to ketamine abuse.

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Related Words

• diaper