diaper

[ dahy-per, dahy-uh-per ]

noun

1. a piece of cloth or other absorbent material folded and worn as underpants by a baby not yet toilet-trained.
2. Also called diaper cloth. a linen or cotton fabric with a woven pattern of small, constantly repeated figures, as diamonds.
3. Also called diaper pattern. such a pattern, originally used in the Middle Ages in weaving silk and gold.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a diaper on.
2. to ornament with a diaperlike pattern.

diaper

/ ˈdaɪəpə /

noun

1. a piece of soft material, esp towelling or a disposable material, wrapped around a baby in order to absorb its excrement Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)nappy
2. 1. a woven pattern on fabric consisting of a small repeating design, esp diamonds
   2. fabric having such a pattern
   3. such a pattern, used as decoration

verb

1. tr to decorate with such a pattern

Other Words From

• un·dia·pered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diaper¹

1300–50; Middle English diapre < Anglo-French dia(s)p(r)e < Medieval Latin diasprus made of diaper < Medieval Greek díaspros pure white, equivalent to Greek di- di- ³( def ) + Medieval Greek áspros white

Word History and Origins

Origin of diaper¹

C14: from Old French diaspre, from Medieval Latin diasprus made of diaper, from Medieval Greek diaspros pure white, from dia- + aspros white, shining

Example Sentences

The family started to collect donations on GoFundMe on Thursday and was able to get diapers and fresh clothes for baby Ken.

From Los Angeles Times

Klum also confirmed that she would need to wear adult diapers to get through the night without having to use the restroom.

From Los Angeles Times

Gucciardo visited Gaza in March, bringing in diapers, sanitary supplies for women, other medical supplies and food when she crossed over from Egypt.

From Salon

After her mother’s remarriage and the arrival of another sibling, Edim became a virtual preteen parent, changing diapers, picking up her brothers from day care and school, feeding them and putting them to bed.

From Los Angeles Times

Morgan Byrd, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom, said voting was the last thing on her mind as she picked up diapers and wipes for her baby from a food distribution hub.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nappy