nape

nape · noun¹

1. Proto-Germanic · derived from*hnappaz
2. Frankish · derived from*hnapp
3. Old French · derived fromhanap“goblet”
4. Middle English · inherited fromnape
5. English todaynape

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.

nape · noun²

1. Latin · derived frommappa“a cloth, napkin, towel”
2. Medieval Latin · derived fromnappa
3. Old French · derived fromnape
4. Middle English · inherited fromnape
5. English todaynape

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.

nape · noun, verb³

Short for napalm.

Words from the same roots