tapis

American  

[tap-ee, tap-is, ta-pee] / ˈtæp i, ˈtæp ɪs, tæˈpi /

noun

plural

tapis

1. Obsolete. a carpet, tapestry, or other covering.

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idioms

1. on the tapis, under consideration or discussion.

   A new housing development for that area is on the tapis.

tapis British  

/ ˈtæpɪ, tapi, ˈtæpiː /

noun

1. tapestry or carpeting, esp as formerly used to cover a table in a council chamber

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Etymology

Origin of tapis

1485–95; < Middle French; Old French tapiz ≪ Greek tapḗtion little carpet, equivalent to tapēt- (stem of tápēs ) carpet + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

For a project at a London townhouse, yews clipped into massive rectangles are lined up colonnade-style, framing an impeccable tapis vert that is reached by ascending a broad flight of limestone steps.

From Architectural Digest • May 20, 2015

I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis — O.M.G.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2014

"We won't roll out the tapis rouge to firms who don't want to work in the UK," she pledges.

From The Guardian • Jan. 25, 2013

For a great hunt was on the tapis.

From Wild Life in the Land of the Giants A Tale of Two Brothers by Stables, Gordon

The conversation concerning the whale was renewed after dinner that evening, the mate and Mr Stevenson having been, as was usual when anything extra was on the tapis, invited to partake of that meal.

From The Cruise of the Snowbird A Story of Arctic Adventure by Stables, Gordon