drape
UK: dreɪp | US: dreɪp
n. a piece of cloth hung loosely and gracefully, especially as decoration or to divide a space
vt. to cover or adorn with cloth in loose folds
vt. to arrange (cloth or clothing) in flowing lines
drape = drap<cloth> + e<verb-forming suffix>
- drap<cloth>: Derived from Old French drap, meaning "cloth" or "fabric," which traces back to Late Latin drappus (possibly of Celtic origin).
- e: A common verb-forming suffix in English, often added to nouns to create action verbs (e.g., "shape" → "shape").
Etymology Origin:
The word "drape" entered English in the 15th century from Old French, where drap referred to woven fabric. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the act of arranging cloth in graceful folds, reflecting both material and action. The verb form emerged naturally, aligning with English patterns of converting nouns into verbs (e.g., "cloth" → "to clothe").
She chose a heavy velvet drape for the theater curtains.
The designer draped the mannequin in silk for the fashion show.
Morning light filtered through the sheer drapes.
He draped his coat over the chair carelessly.
The hills were draped in mist at dawn.