dress

¹dress

verb \ˈdres\

Definition of DRESS

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

Examples of DRESS

1. They dressed themselves in a hurry.
2. He dressed the child in a snowsuit.
3. She showered, dressed, and ate breakfast.
4. She dressed warmly for skiing.
5. She is dressing for the opera.
6. They always dress for dinner.
7. The nurse dressed the cut on my knee.

Origin of DRESS

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DRESS

Synonyms

bind, bandage, swathe

Antonyms

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

Related Words

attend, care (for), doctor, medicate, minister (to), nurse, treat; cure, heal, mend, rehabilitate, remedy

Near Antonyms

unbandage

Rhymes with DRESS

bless, cess, chess, cress, ess, fess, guess, jess, less, loess, mess, ness, press, s, stress, tress, yes

²dress

noun

Definition of DRESS

1

: apparel, clothing

2

: an outer garment (as for a woman or girl) usually consisting of a one-piece bodice and skirt

3

: covering, adornment, or appearance appropriate or peculiar to a particular time

4

: a particular form of presentation : guise

Examples of DRESS

1. She wore dresses only on special occasions.
2. She wore a short black dress to the party.
3. Her wedding dress was decorated with lace.
4. The guests were clothed in traditional Indian dress.
5. It is wise to wear conservative dress to an interview.

First Known Use of DRESS

1606

Related to DRESS

Synonyms

frock, gown

Related Words

chemise, coatdress, granny dress, housedress, jumper, kimono, kirtle, minidress, Mother Hubbard, muumuu, overdress, sack, sheath, shift, shirtdress, shirtwaist, sundress, sweaterdress, tea gown

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

³dress

adjective

Definition of DRESS

1

: suitable for a formal occasion <dress clothes> <dress shoes>

2

: requiring or permitting formal dress <a dress affair>

3

: relating to or used for a dress <dress material>

Examples of DRESS

1. I wore dress pants and a nice sweater.
2. <the naval commander wore his dress uniform to the ball>

First Known Use of DRESS

1767

Related to DRESS

Synonyms

dressy, formal

Antonyms

casual, informal, sportif, sporty

Related Words

costume, costumey; chic, dapper, fashionable, in, modish, natty, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish; custom-made, fitted, tailored; black-tie, evening, white-tie; semiformal

Near Antonyms

street; dowdy, outmoded, styleless, unfashionable, unstylish; frowsy (or frowzy), grungy, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy; disheveled (or dishevelled), messy, mussy, rumpled, wrinkled

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

dress

verb \ˈdres\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DRESS

: to apply dressings or medicaments to

dress

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Covering, or clothing and accessories, for the human body. The term encompasses garments as shirts, togas, footwear, hats, and gloves; hairstyles, facial hair, and wigs; and cosmetics, jewelry, and other forms of body decoration. In cultures thoughout the world, perhaps the most obvious function of dress is to provide warmth and protection, but it can also serve religious or ritual purposes. Other basic functions of dress include identifying the wearer (by providing information about sex, age, occupation, or other characteristic) and making the wearer appear more attractive. In the West up through the modern era, dress has often functioned as a reflection of social and economic standing. See also fashion.