- 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 verb1 a: to make or set straight b: to arrange (as troops) in a straight line and at proper intervals2: 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 : embellish4 a: to put clothes on <dress a child> b: to provide with clothing <feed and dress a growing family>5archaic : dress down6 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 verb1 a: to put on clothing b: to put on or wear formal, elaborate, or fancy clothes <dress for dinner>2of a food animal : to weigh after being dressed —often used with out3: to align oneself with the next soldier in a line to make the line straight
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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
