nappe meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

nappe

noun

UK /nap/

Etymology From French nappe. Doublet of map, mop, and nape.

The profile of a body of water flowing over an obstruction in a vertical drop.

Mathematics, Sciences Either of the two parts of a double cone.

Geography, Geology, Natural sciences A sheet-like mass of rock that has been folded over adjacent strata.

The generation of an Alpine mountain range is a matter of piling on the nappes.2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 96:

Engineering, Hydraulics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Geological nappe whose underside is not in contact with the overflow structure and is at ambient atmospheric pressure.

Cooking, Food, Lifestyle The ability of a sauce or other relatively thick liquid to coat food, the back of a spoon, etc.

nappe

verb

Etymology From French nappe. Doublet of map, mop, and nape.

Cooking, Food, Lifestyle To coat (a food) with liquid.

to nappe a leg of lamb with glaze