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

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Rhymes with DRESS

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