nape
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: NAPE
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English nape, naape, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old French hanap (“goblet”), from Frankish *hnapp, from Proto-Germanic *hnappaz ( > Old English hnæpp, hnæp (“cup, bowl, goblet”)), as there is a hollow at the base of the skull.[1] More at nap.
Noun
nape (plural napes)
- (anatomy) The back part of the neck.
- 2022, Stephen King, chapter 8, in Fairy Tale, page 132:
- He was still stroking Radar, long glides of his hand from nape to tail.
- (zoology) The part of a fish or bird immediately behind the head.
Synonyms
- nucha, nuchal (medicine)
- scruff, scruff of the neck
- withers (of a horse)
Translations
back part of the neck
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See also
Etymology 2
From Middle English nape, 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. Doublet of map, mop, and nappe.
Noun
nape (plural napes)
- (obsolete) A tablecloth.
Derived terms
Etymology 3
Short for napalm.
Noun
nape (uncountable)
Verb
nape (third-person singular simple present napes, present participle naping, simple past and past participle naped)
- (transitive, military, slang) To bombard with napalm.
References
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “nape”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Anagrams
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