lappet

[ lap-it ]

noun

1. a small lap, flap, or loosely hanging part, especially of a garment or headdress.
2. a projecting, lobelike structure in certain invertebrate animals.
3. Ornithology. a wattle or other fleshy process on a bird's head.
4. Textiles.
   1. a rack or bar containing needles, situated at the front of the reed, and used in the production of figured patterns.
   2. an ornamented fabric produced by lappet weaving.

lappet

/ ˈlæpɪt /

noun

1. a small hanging flap or piece of lace, etc, such as one dangling from a headdress
2. zoology a lobelike hanging structure, such as the wattle on a bird's head

Derived Forms

• ˈlappeted, adjective

Other Words From

• lappet·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lappet¹

First recorded in 1565–75; lap ¹ + -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of lappet¹

C16: from lap ¹+ -et

Example Sentences

Lappet-faced vultures, native to Africa and named for the flaps of skin, or lappets, that dangle from either side of their head, are among the world’s most endangered birds.

From New York Times

Crocodile fish: As the species lurks around sandy ocean floors, the iris lappet, or lacey covering drooping over its eye, obscures the pupil and improves fish’s overall camouflage.

From Scientific American

If the scientists' fossil interpretations are correct, these animals also possessed a number of soft-tissue flaps and “lappets” that might have been used to propel the animals.

From Scientific American

But they tend to fare better when the dry season ends and the other two species fly outside of Masai Mara for food, leaving more carcasses to the lappets.

From New York Times

This image of Cape lappet moth caterpillars is runner-up in the Ecosystems and Communities category.

From BBC