nappies

Noun (1)

nappy (plural nappies)

1. (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK) An absorbent garment worn by a baby or toddler who does not yet have voluntary control of their bladder and bowels or by someone who is incontinent; a diaper.
   • You will notice that disposable nappies are sold in boy and girl versions. They vary in where the thickest padding is provided.1995, Jennie Lindon, Lance Lindon, Leandra Negrini, Caring for Young Children, page 60

   Synonyms:

   diaper, napkin

Noun (2)

nappy (plural nappies)

1. A shallow, flat-bottomed earthenware or glass bowl with sloping sides.
   • Suppose you advertise a “five-inch glass nappy.” It doesn′t tell a reader anything — a woman especially. She can′t tell how big five inches are anyway ; but just say, “large imitation cut glass fruit saucers at thirty cents a dozen,” and get your packers ready.1902, Charles Austin Bates, The Art and Literature of Business, volume 4, page 328

Noun (3)

nappy (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) A kind of strong ale; nappy ale.
   • Aw′ve seen when we′ve gyen iv a kind, freenly way / To be blithe ower a jug o′ good nappy1827, R. Charlton, Newcastle Improvements, in T. Thompson, et al. A Collection of Songs, Comic and Satirical, Chiefly in the Newcastle Dialect, page 151

See all 10 meanings of nappy

Noun

nappie (plural nappies)

1. A diaper.
   • Depositing Susie in the bathinette, I removed the soiled nappie.1954, Ernest Cady, We Adopted Three, page 65
2. A shallow bowl.
   • For family service, the 4-inch nappie is more practical than the sherbet glass.1941, Beth Bailey McLean, The Table Graces, page 19
3. A type of strong ale.
   • a. 1846, Robert Burns, Comforts of the Poor, 1846, Henry Corbould, The Book of the Poets, page 448,
     An' whyles twalpennie-worth o′ nappie / Can mak the bodies unco happy ;