drape

 
Pronunciation: /dreɪp/

verb

[with object and adverbial]
  • arrange (cloth or clothing) loosely or casually on or round something: she draped a shawl around her shoulders
  • cover or wrap loosely with folds of cloth: the body was draped in a blanket
  • let (oneself or a part of one’s body) rest somewhere in a casual or relaxed way: he draped an arm around her shoulders
  • [no object] (of fabric) hang in loose, graceful folds: velvet drapes beautifully

noun

  • 1 (drapes) North American long curtains: Katherine pulled back the heavy velvet drapes
  • [usually as modifier] a man’s suit consisting of a long jacket and narrow trousers, as worn by a Teddy boy: a drape jacket
  • a cloth for covering parts of a patient’s body other than that part on which a surgical operation is being performed.
  • 2 [in singular] the way in which a garment or fabric hangs: by fixing the band lower down you obtain a fuller drape in the fabric

Derivatives

drapey

adjective

Origin:

mid 19th century: back-formation from drapery, influenced by French draper 'to drape'. The noun senses date from the early 20th century