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nape

noun, verb — 5 senses

nape

noun

/neɪp/

Etymology From Middle English nape, naape, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old French hanap (“goblet”), from Frankish *hnapp, from Proto-Germanic *hnappaz ( > Old English hnæpp, hnæp (“cup, bowl, goblet”)), as there is a hollow at the base of the skull. More at nap.

1

Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences The back part of the neck.

  • He was still stroking Radar, long glides of his hand from nape to tail.2022, Stephen King, chapter 8, in Fairy Tale, page 132:
2

Biology, Natural sciences, Zoology The part of a fish or bird immediately behind the head.

Synonyms
nucha, nuchal, scruff, scruff of the neck, withers
Derived terms
yellownape
Related terms
hindneck

nape

verb

Etymology Short for napalm.

1

Government, Military, Politics, War Slang To bombard with napalm.

nape

noun

Etymology From Middle English nape, from Old French nape, nappe (“a cloth”), from Medieval Latin nappa, napa (“cloth, table-cloth, sheet”), alteration of Latin mappa (“a cloth, napkin, towel”). More at map, apron. Doublet of map, mop, and nappe.

1

Obsolete A tablecloth.

Derived terms
napkin, nappie

nape

noun

Etymology Short for napalm.

1

Government, Military, Politics, War Slang Napalm.

  • RHAH: They got through Alpha Company! Anything behind you don't identify itself, blow it away. Two - air strike's coming in. They gonna lay snake and nape right on the perimeter so stay tight in your holes and don't leave 'em.1986, Oliver Stone, Platoon (film script)

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.