nappy

[ nap-ee ]

/ ˈnæp i /

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noun Chiefly Scot.

liquor, especially ale.

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Origin of nappy

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

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

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. 2022

How to use nappy in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Care, mad to see a man sae happy, E'en drown'd himsel' amang the nappy!
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various

No nest box or pan is really needed, but many pigeon keepers use a nest bowl, called a nappy, of earthenware or wood fiber.
Our Domestic Birds|John H. Robinson
"Miss 'Bell needn't strut so big; she got short nappy har's well's I," said Nell, with a broad grin that showed her teeth.
Clotelle|William Wells Brown
She let her fingers wander up and down his cheek and across his shoulders and into his uneven nappy hair.
Just Around the Corner|Fannie Hurst
They had a pair of plates that for ugliness and price knocked the "ginuwine Hall nappy" higher 'n the main truck.
Cape Cod Stories|Joseph C. Lincoln

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)

having a head; frothy
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

nappy

Origin of nappy

Words nearby nappy

Other definitions for nappy (2 of 4)

or nap·pie

Origin of nappy

Other definitions for nappy (3 of 4)

Origin of nappy

OTHER WORDS FROM nappy

Other definitions for nappy (4 of 4)

Origin of nappy

Words related to nappy

How to use nappy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (1 of 2)

Word Origin for nappy

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (2 of 2)

Derived forms of nappy