tapis

[ tap-ee, tap-is, ta-pee ]

/ ˈtæp i, ˈtæp ɪs, tæˈpi /

Save This Word!

noun, plural tap·is.

Obsolete. a carpet, tapestry, or other covering.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about tapis

on the tapis, under consideration or discussion: A new housing development for that area is on the tapis.

Origin of tapis

1485–95; <Middle French; Old French tapiz ≪ Greek tapḗtion little carpet, equivalent to tapēt- (stem of tápēs) carpet + -ion diminutive suffix

Words nearby tapis

tap-in, tapioca, tapioca-plant, tapir, tapir mouth, tapis, tapis vert, tapotement, Tappan, tap pants, Tappan Zee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tapis in a sentence

“I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis,” the letter reads.
The Oxford English Dictionary: The Original Crowdsourcer|Josh Dzieza|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She was therefore prepared to sustain her part in the drama Routemberg was bringing on the tapis.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Viollet-le-Duc says that the “Saracinois” was a term applied to the makers of velvety carpets (tapis veloutés).
Needlework As Art|Marian Alford
With Mrs. Van Varick on the tapis, Tommie is safe from designing ladies who might marry him for his money.
The Genial Idiot|John Kendrick Bangs

There is sure to be some large picnic, some delightful gathering on the "tapis," when they choose to exhibit their griefs.
Lazy Thoughts of a Lazy Girl|Jenny Wren
And then, at last, that future day was absolutely brought on the tapis as though now to be named.
Mr. Scarborough's Family|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for tapis

tapis

/ (ˈtæpiː, ˈtæpɪ, French tapi) /

noun plural tapis

tapestry or carpeting, esp as formerly used to cover a table in a council chamber

Word Origin for tapis

C17: from French, from Old French tapiz, from Greek tapētion rug, from tapēs carpet

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