noun
nap
The raised fibers on the surface of cloth, carpet, or leather.
The velvet's nap feels smooth when I stroke it downward.
Etymology
From a textile word for a tuft or projecting knot. The raised-fiber sense is separate from nap, a short sleep.
More examples
- Brush the suede gently to restore its nap.
- Cut each fabric piece with the nap running in the same direction.
- Years of foot traffic have flattened the carpet's nap.
Forms
nap