drapery

1 hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window) [syn: curtain, drape, mantle, pall]

2 cloth gracefully draped and arranged in loose folds

English

Pronunciation

• /ˈdreɪpəri/

Noun

1. cloth draped gracefully in folds
2. a piece of cloth, hung vertically as a curtain; a drape

Drapery refers to cloths or textiles (Old French drap, from Late Latin drappus) used for decorative purposes--such on windows--or to the trade of selling cloth. Even small British towns had several drapers' shops until quite recently, when ready-made clothes, curtains, etc have become the norm. Several department stores originated as drapers' shops.

The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.

The depiction of draperies revealing and concealing the human form has been a major theme of sculpture and painting.

Notes

aglet, aigrette, apparel, applique, arabesque, arras, array, attire, awning, batik, beach umbrella, beading, beaten work, bedizenment, blanket, blind, bob, bouquet, boutonniere, bow, bugle, chandelier, chaplet, cloak, cloth, clothes, clothing, coat, coattail, coronal, corsage, costume, cover, coverage, covering, covert, coverture, cowl, cowling, crown, curtain, cuspidation, cutwork, damascene, damask, diaper, diapering, drape, dress, dressing, drop, duds, earring, egret, embroidery, epaulet, etoffe, fabric, fancywork, fashion, fatigues, feather, feathers, felt, festoon, fig, filigree, fillet, finial, flap, foliage, foliation, fretwork, fringe, frog, garb, garland, garments, gear, goods, guise, habiliment, habit, hammock, hanging, helix, hood, housing, icicle, imbrication, inlay, investiture, investment, lace, lacework, lappet, light shield, linen, mantle, mask, material, metalwork, motif, napery, nosegay, openwork, pall, panache, panelwork, parasol, parquetry, pendulum, pigtail, plumb bob, plume, pom-pom, posy, queue, quilting, rag, rags, raiment, robes, rosette, ruffle, screen, scroll, sequin, shade, shader, shadow, shelter, shield, shroud, silk, skirt, snood, spangle, spiral, sportswear, stalactite, striping, stuff, style, sunblind, sunshade, swing, tail, tailpiece, tapestry, tassel, textile, textile fabric, texture, threads, tippet, tissu, tissue, togs, toilette, tooling, tracery, trail, train, trim, umbrella, valance, veil, vestment, vesture, vignette, wattle, wear, wearing apparel, weave, web, weft, woof, wool, wreath