DictionaryRoot: dresser
Old French
dresser
make straight, arrange, or prepare
Forms
- dresser
- dress- — The form retained when the French ending is removed.
Origin
From a later Latin formation related to directus, “straight,” from dirigere.
Note
Preparing or arranging something preceded the modern concentration on clothing.
3 / 5
verb
dress
To prepare food for cooking or serving.
Etymology
The older verb means to arrange or prepare. This cooking sense preserves the broad preparation action, making food ready for cooking or for the table.