English

A geisha, with unpainted nape.

Noun

nape ‎(plural napes)

1. The back part of the neck.

Synonyms

• nucha, nuchal (medicine)
• scruff, scruff of the neck
• withers (of a horse)

Translations

See also

• hindneck

Etymology 2

From Middle English, from Old French nape, nappe ‎(“a cloth”), from Medieval Latin nappa, napa ‎(“cloth, table-cloth, sheet”), alteration of Latin mappa ‎(“a cloth, napkin, towel”). More at map, apron.

Noun

nape ‎(plural napes)

1. (obsolete) A tablecloth.

Derived terms

• napkin

Etymology 3

Short for napalm.

Verb

nape ‎(third-person singular simple present napes, present participle naping, simple past and past participle naped)

1. To bombard with napalm.

References

1. ↑ “nape” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).

Anagrams

• neap, pane, pean

Latin

Noun

nāpe

1. vocative singular of nāpus

Old French

Noun

nape f ‎(oblique plural napes, nominative singular nape, nominative plural napes)

1. table cloth
   • circa 1170, Chrétien de Troyes, Érec et Énide:

     Tables mises, et napes sus

     Tables were laid, with table cloths on them

Descendants

• English: nape, napkin
• French: nappe

See also

• table