Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Diaper

Di′a-per

(dī′ȧ-pẽr)
,
Noun.
[OF.
diaspre
,
diapre
,
diaspe
, sort of figured cloth, It.
diaspro
jasper,
diaspo
figured cloth, from L.
jaspis
a green-colored precious stone. See
Jasper
.]
1.
Any textile fabric (esp. linen or cotton toweling) woven in diaper pattern. See 2.
2.
(Fine Arts)
Surface decoration of any sort which consists of the constant repetition of one or more simple figures or units of design evenly spaced.
3.
A towel or napkin for wiping the hands, etc.
Let one attend him with a silver basin, . . .
Another bear the ewer, the third a
diaper
.
Shakespeare
4.
An infant’s breechcloth.

Di′a-per

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To ornament with figures, etc., arranged in the pattern called diaper, as cloth in weaving.
Diapered light.”
H. Van Laun.
Engarlanded and
diapered

With in wrought flowers.
Tennyson.
2.
To put a diaper on (a child).

Di′a-per

,
Verb.
I.
To draw flowers or figures, as upon cloth.
“If you diaper on folds.”
Peacham.

Webster 1828 Edition


Diaper

DIAPER

,
Noun.
Figured linen cloth; a cloth wove in flowers or figures; much used for towels or napkins. Hence, a towel or napkin.

DIAPER

,
Verb.
T.
To variegate or diversify, as cloth, with figures; to flower.

DIAPER

,
Verb.
I.
To draw flowers or figures, as upon cloth.
If you diaper on folds.

Definition 2024


diaper

diaper

English

A toddler wearing a diaper.

Noun

diaper (plural diapers)

  1. A textile fabric having a diamond-shaped pattern formed by alternating directions of thread.
    • 1890, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, ch. XI:
      The orphreys were woven in a diaper of red and gold silk, and were starred with medallions of many saints and martyrs, among whom was St. Sebastian.
  2. A towel or napkin made from such fabric.
    • Shakespeare
      Let one attend him with a silver basin, [] / Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper.
  3. (Canada, US) An absorbent garment worn by a baby, by a young child not yet toilet trained, or by an older person who is incontinent; a nappy.
  4. The diamond pattern associated with diaper textiles.
  5. Surface decoration of any sort which consists of the constant repetition of one or more simple figures or units of design evenly spaced.

Synonyms

  • (absorbent garment): nappy (British, Australia); napkin (British, archaic); napkin (South African)

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Verb

diaper (third-person singular simple present diapers, present participle diapering, simple past and past participle diapered)

  1. To put diapers on someone.
    Diapering a baby is something you have to learn fast.
  2. To draw flowers or figures, as upon cloth.
    • Peacham
      If you diaper on folds.

Translations

Anagrams