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

But in many cases, this rate does not cover the full cost of the childcare, and some providers charge for extras like meals, nappies, sun cream or trips.

From BBC

At the scene, Somaya Mikdad held up a pack of nappies that she said belonged to one of the victims - a pregnant woman.

From BBC

"She's got developmental delay, learning disabilities, she's in nappies and she's got high care needs."

From BBC

Both food banks also said demand had expanded to include nappies, sanitary products, basic toiletries and pet food.

From BBC

"Before I had a baby, I thought: you need clothes, you need nappies. But I never thought about how you feed your baby," she added.

From BBC

Related Words

• diaper