tapis

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

/ ˈtæp i, ˈtæp ɪs, tæˈpi /

noun, plural tap·is.

Obsolete. a carpet, tapestry, or other covering.

Nearby words

Idioms

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tapis

“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
I never saw the tapis, a broad, bright ornamented cloth that lies upon the dog's back under his harness, on the Middle Yukon.
Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled|Hudson Stuck
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
Well, my dears, since you will bring it on the tapis, let us discuss and dismiss it.
Ishmael|Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth

So the flat was taken, and the question of furniture was the next to come upon the tapis.
The Daughters of a Genius|Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
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