tapis

American  

[tap-ee, tap-is, ta-pee] / ˈtæp i, ˈtæp ɪs, tæˈpi /

noun

plural

tapis

1. Obsolete. a carpet, tapestry, or other covering.

---

idioms

1. on the tapis, under consideration or discussion.

   A new housing development for that area is on the tapis.

tapis British  

/ ˈtæpɪ, tapi, ˈtæpiː /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of tapis

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

Example Sentences

For a project at a London townhouse, yews clipped into massive rectangles are lined up colonnade-style, framing an impeccable tapis vert that is reached by ascending a broad flight of limestone steps.

From Architectural Digest • May 20, 2015

I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis — O.M.G.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2014

"We won't roll out the tapis rouge to firms who don't want to work in the UK," she pledges.

From The Guardian • Jan. 25, 2013

The paragraph was as follows— “We understand that an alliance is on the tapis between Sir Grantley Wilters, of Morley Hall, Shropshire, and Eaton Place, and Lady Maude Diphoos, daughter of the Earl of Barmouth.”

From Lady Maude's Mania by Fenn, George Manville

Nor did he put down pesetas upon the tapis vert.

From The Bandolero A Marriage among the Mountains by Reid, Mayne