dress
(drĕs)
[Middle English dressen, to arrange, put on clothing, from Old French drecier, to arrange, from Vulgar Latin* dīrēctiāre, from Latin dīrēctus past participle of dīrigere, to direct; see direct.]
verb: dressed, dress·ing, dress·es.
transitive verb
- To put clothes on; clothe.
- To furnish with clothing.
- To decorate or adorn: dress a Christmas tree.
- To garnish: dressed the side dish with parsley.
- To arrange a display in: dress a store window.
- To arrange (troops) in ranks; align.
- To apply medication, bandages, or other therapeutic materials to (a wound).
- To arrange and groom (the hair), as by styling, combing, or washing.
- To groom (an animal); curry.
- To cultivate (land or plants).
- To clean (fish or fowl) for cooking or sale.
- To put a finish on (stone or wood, for example).
- To tan or prepare (a hide) in leather-making.
intransitive verb
- To put on clothes.
- To wear clothes of a certain kind or style: dresses casually.
- To wear formal clothes: dress for dinner.
- To get into proper alignment with others: The troops dressed on the squad leader.
noun
- Clothing; apparel.
- A style of clothing: folk dancers in peasant dress.
- A one-piece outer garment for women or girls.
- Outer covering or appearance; guise: an ancient ritual in modern dress.
adjective
- Suitable for formal occasions: dress shoes.
- Requiring formal clothes: a dress dinner.
phrasal verbs
- dress down
- To scold; reprimand: I was dressed down by the teacher for lateness.
- To wear informal clothes, befitting an occasion or location: I dressed down for such a casual occasion.
- dress up
- To wear formal or fancy clothes: They dressed up and went to the prom.
idioms
- dress ship
- To display the ensign, signal flags, and bunting on a ship.
