nappy¹

[nap-ee]

See more synonyms for nappy on Thesaurus.com

noun Chiefly Scot.

liquor, especially ale.

Origin of nappy¹

First recorded in 1425–75, nappy is from the late Middle English word noppi. See nap², -y¹

nappy²

or nap·pie

[nap-ee]

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 nappy²

1870–75, Americanism; nap (Middle English; Old English hnæp bowl) + -y²

nappy³

[nap-ee]

adjective, nap·pi·er, nap·pi·est.

covered with nap; downy.
(of hair) kinky.

Origin of nappy³

First recorded in 1490–1500; nap² + -y¹

Related formsnap·pi·ness, noun

nappy⁴

[nap-ee]

noun, plural nap·pies. Chiefly British.

a diaper.

Origin of nappy⁴

First recorded in 1925–30; nap(kin) + -y²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for nappy

Contemporary Examples

Three and half days after his birth/death, I undressed my son, changed his nappy, bathed him, and dressed him in an outfit.
Daily Beast Readers React to YouTube Stillborn Baby Memorials
Brandy Zadrozny
November 12, 2013
Prince Harry showed he is still game for a laugh today when he attempted to change the nappy of a baby (doll) with just one hand.
Practice Makes Perfect: Uncle Harry Changes A Baby's Diaper
Tom Sykes
April 25, 2013
A nappy change prompted high security alert on a recent United Airlines flight from DC to San Francisco.
The National-Security Diaper Scramble
Philip Shishkin
April 25, 2013

Historical Examples

Nappy raised his cap and bowed pleasantly, both to her and to May.
The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island
Edward Stratemeyer
"I won't talk to you," retorted Nappy Martell, and tried to pass.
The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island
Edward Stratemeyer
Nappy had threatened Fred, and made a savage pass at him with his fist.
The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island
Edward Stratemeyer
What Nappy and I ought to do is to pitch into you for having us fired out of the Hall.
The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island
Edward Stratemeyer
"Maybe we can get into the cabin by a back way," suggested Nappy.
The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island
Edward Stratemeyer

British Dictionary definitions for nappy

nappy¹

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

C20: changed from napkin

nappy²

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 Formsnappiness, 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

Word Origin and History for nappy

adj.

"downy," late 15c., from nap (n.1) + -y (2). Meaning "fuzzy, kinky," used in colloquial or derogatory reference to the hair of black people, is from 1950.

nappy.css-pdubzd{font-size:17px;vertical-align:super;}1

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}nappy1

nappy2

or nap·pie

Origin of nappy2

nappy3

Origin of nappy3

nappy4

Origin of nappy4

Related Words

Examples from the Web for nappy

Contemporary Examples

Three and half days after his birth/death, I undressed my son, changed his nappy, bathed him, and dressed him in an outfit.

Prince Harry showed he is still game for a laugh today when he attempted to change the nappy of a baby (doll) with just one hand.

A nappy change prompted high security alert on a recent United Airlines flight from DC to San Francisco.

Historical Examples

Nappy raised his cap and bowed pleasantly, both to her and to May.

"I won't talk to you," retorted Nappy Martell, and tried to pass.

Nappy had threatened Fred, and made a savage pass at him with his fist.

What Nappy and I ought to do is to pitch into you for having us fired out of the Hall.

"Maybe we can get into the cabin by a back way," suggested Nappy.

nappy1

Word Origin

nappy2

Word Origin and History for nappy

adj.

nappy¹

Origin of nappy¹

nappy²

Origin of nappy²

nappy³

Origin of nappy³

nappy⁴

Origin of nappy⁴

nappy¹

nappy²