Main Entry: ¹dress

Pronunciation: \ˈdres\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French drescer, dresser to direct, put right, Vulgar Latin *directiare, from Latin directus direct, past participle of dirigere to direct, from dis- + regere to lead straight — more at right

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to make or set straight b : to arrange (as troops) in a straight line and at proper intervals
2 : to prepare for use or service; specifically : to prepare for cooking or for the table <dress a salad>
3 : to add decorative details or accessories to : embellish
4 a : to put clothes on <dress a child> b : to provide with clothing <feed and dress a growing family>
5 archaic : dress down
6 a : to apply dressings or medicaments to <dress a wound> b (1) : to arrange (as the hair) by combing, brushing, or curling (2) : to groom and curry (an animal) c : to kill and prepare for market or for consumption —often used with out d : cultivate, tend; especially : to apply manure or fertilizer to <dress a field> e : to put through a finishing process; especially : to trim and smooth the surface of (as lumber or stone)intransitive verb 1 a : to put on clothing b : to put on or wear formal, elaborate, or fancy clothes <dress for dinner>
2 of a food animal : to weigh after being dressed —often used with out
3 : to align oneself with the next soldier in a line to make the line straight

— dress ship : to ornament a ship for a celebration by hoisting national ensigns at the mastheads and running a line of signal flags and pennants from bow to stern