nappy

¹

[ nap-ee ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

1. liquor, especially ale.

nappy

²

or nap·pie

[ nap-ee ]

noun

, plural nap·pies.

1. a small shallow dish, usually round and often of glass, with a flat bottom and sloping sides, for serving food.

nappy

³

[ nap-ee ]

adjective

, nap·pi·er, nap·pi·est.

1. Sometimes Offensive. (especially of a Black person's hair) tightly curled; kinky.
2. covered with nap; downy.

nappy

⁴

[ nap-ee ]

noun

, British.

, plural nap·pies.

1. a diaper.

nappy

¹

/ ˈnæpɪ /

noun

1. a piece of soft material, esp towelling or a disposable material, wrapped around a baby in order to absorb its urine and excrement Also callednapkin US and Canadian namediaper

nappy

²

/ ˈnæpɪ /

adjective

1. having a nap; downy; fuzzy
2. of alcoholic drink, esp beer
   1. having a head; frothy
   2. strong or heady
3. dialect.
   slightly intoxicated; tipsy
4. (of a horse) jumpy or irritable; nervy

noun

1. any strong alcoholic drink, esp heady beer

Derived Forms

• ˈnappiness, noun

Other Words From

• nappi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nappy¹

First recorded in 1425–75; origin uncertain; probably from late Middle English noppi; nap ², -y ¹

Origin of nappy²

First recorded in 1730–35; Middle English nap, Old English hnæpf, hnæp “cup, bowl” (further origin uncertain) + -y ²

Origin of nappy³

First recorded in 1490–1500; nap ² + -y ¹

Origin of nappy⁴

First recorded in 1925–30; nap(kin) + -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of nappy¹

C20: changed from napkin

Example Sentences

Three and half days after his birth/death, I undressed my son, changed his nappy, bathed him, and dressed him in an outfit.

From The Daily Beast

Prince Harry showed he is still game for a laugh today when he attempted to change the nappy of a baby (doll) with just one hand.

From The Daily Beast

A nappy change prompted high security alert on a recent United Airlines flight from DC to San Francisco.

From The Daily Beast

Care, mad to see a man sae happy, E'en drown'd himsel' amang the nappy!

From Project Gutenberg

No nest box or pan is really needed, but many pigeon keepers use a nest bowl, called a nappy, of earthenware or wood fiber.

From Project Gutenberg

"Miss 'Bell needn't strut so big; she got short nappy har's well's I," said Nell, with a broad grin that showed her teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

She let her fingers wander up and down his cheek and across his shoulders and into his uneven nappy hair.

From Project Gutenberg

They had a pair of plates that for ugliness and price knocked the "ginuwine Hall nappy" higher 'n the main truck.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• diaper