rhizoverbBeta
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.

1 / 2
noun / verb / adjective

dress

DRESS/dres/

To clothe or furnish for presentation.

The hanging garment can dress its wearer in a simple everyday style.

A single everyday dress displayed front-facing on a plain hanger, with its bodice and knee-length skirt visibly joined as one garment.
Etymology
dressOld Frenchmake straight, arrange, or prepare

The ancestor meaning “straighten” or “arrange” developed into adorning and putting on clothing. Dress then named clothing generally before narrowing to a garment combining a bodice and skirt.

In context

Old Time Radio Researchers17:36
gala people are coming in wearing the most unusual costumes and with everyone wearing masks it's impossible to tell who is who Irma I recognize she's wearing a little girl's dress and carrying a piece of meat in her hand
My Friend Irma - Jane Throws a Costume Ball

More examples

  • He dresses the baby in warm clothes before their walk.
  • The crew dresses the stage with flowers for the performance.
  • Please wear dress shoes rather than sneakers to the ceremony.

Forms

dress · dresses · dressed · dressing

Similar words

gown
Usually a long dress worn for formal occasions.
clothe
Emphasizes covering someone with clothing, not arranging a display.
decorate
Emphasizes adding attractive details rather than putting on clothing.