/ˈnæpi/
OriginA diminutive in -y. The base is probably napkin but possibly French nappe directly (note that napkin is already a diminutive).
- Australia, British, Ireland, New-Zealand, South-AfricaAn absorbent garment worn by a baby or toddler who does not yet have voluntary control of their bladder and bowels or by someone who is incontinent; a diaper.
“You will notice that disposable nappies are sold in boy and girl versions. They vary in where the thickest padding is provided.”
“Other equipment required was soap for hand washing and washing of nappies, a washing line for the drying of nappies,[…].”
“You could burn disposable nappies (not a very practical option); otherwise, it′s probably best to take a supply of large plastic bags or nappy sacks with you and to dispose of them as thoughtfully as ”
- A shallow, flat-bottomed earthenware or glass bowl with sloping sides.
“Suppose you advertise a “five-inch glass nappy.” It doesn′t tell a reader anything — a woman especially. She can′t tell how big five inches are anyway ; but just say, “large imitation cut glass fruit ”
“The use of a glazed earthenware nesting-dish, or “nappy, ” 9 inches in diameter across the top, is strongly advised.”
“Place a slice of pineapple in a fruit nappy, place on it a No. 10 cone of vanilla ice cream and pour over it a ladle of chop suey dressing, crowning it with a freshly opened lycher nut or a cherry.”
- obsolete, uncountableA kind of strong ale; nappy ale.
“1827, R. Charlton, Newcastle Improvements, in T. Thompson, et al. A Collection of Songs, Comic and Satirical, Chiefly in the Newcastle Dialect, page 151,
Aw′ve seen when we′ve gyen iv a kind, freenly ”
“1857, Hugh Miller, The Cruise of the Betsey, 2009, Echo Library, page 248,
Weel do I mind that in a′ our neeborly meetings—bridals, christenings, lyke-wakes an′ the like,—we entertained ane anither wi”
- transitiveTo put a nappy on.
“The mother nappied the baby.”
- Having a nap (of cloth etc.); downy; shaggy.
“1950, US District Courts, US Court of Claims, US Court of Customs and Patent Appeals, Federal Supplement, Volume 89, page 438,
The original accused device, as was the patented device, was made of cott”
- rareInclined to sleep; sleepy.
“After supper I felt nappy and dropped right off to sleep.”
- Foamy; having a large head.
- Nervous, excitable.
“‘He's a mutton-fisted beggar; but the horse is a bit nappy, and young Roger'll be the man to keep him going at his fences.’”
“I do feel, however, that in talking lightheartedly of making rearing, pulling or nappy horses into useful members of equine society I am treading on very dangerous ground.”
“Note that it is possible that a horse is not in fact being nappy at all, but is suffering the onset of muscle disorders: it is up to the rider to interpret the signs correctly.”
- ScotlandBrittle.
Formsnappies(plural) · nappies(present, singular, third-person) · nappying(participle, present) · nappied(participle, past) · nappied(past) · nappier(comparative) · nappiest(superlative) · nappie(alternative)
Source: Wiktionary