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DictionarycrapeCrinkled fabric
noun

crape

KRAYP/kreɪp/

A thin, crinkled fabric traditionally worn in mourning.

A narrow band of black crape circles his hat in mourning.

Crape: close still life of fine black crinkled mourning fabric draped over a simple black hat; subtle gray highlights reveal delicate rippled texture.
Etymology
crapeLatincurled, wrinkled

Latin crispus, “curled, wrinkled,” describes the fabric’s finely crinkled surface. Black crape’s somber, rough, unglossed appearance made it especially appropriate for mourning clothes.

In context

Libranima310:55
Great black clouds, heavy, torn, split, hung like crape hammocks beneath the starry dome of night.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame - Hugo (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 2 of 2

More examples

  • The museum displays a widow's veil made of black crape.
  • The crape feels light and slightly rough between her fingers.
  • She sews a strip of crape around the sleeve.

Forms

crape

Similar words

crepe
The usual modern spelling for crinkled fabric, without emphasizing mourning.