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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lappet

Lappet \Lap"pet\, n. [Dim. of lap a fold.] A small decorative fold or flap, esp. of lace or muslin, in a garment or headdress.
--Swift.

Lappet moth (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of bombycid moths, which have stout, hairy caterpillars, flat beneath. Two common American species ( Gastropacha Americana, and Tolype velleda) feed upon the apple tree.

Lappet

Lappet \Lap"pet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lappeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lappeting.] To decorate with, or as with, a lappet. [R.]
--Landor.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
lappet

"a small flap," 1570s; earlier "lobe of a body part" (early 15c.), from Middle English lappe "lap" (see lap (n.)) + -et, diminutive suffix.

Wiktionary
lappet

n. 1 A small decorative fold or flap, especially of lace or muslin, in a garment or headdress. 2 (context zoology English) A wattle or flap-like structure on the face. vb. (context transitive English) To decorate with, or as if with, lappets.

WordNet
lappet
  1. n. a fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards [syn: wattle]

  2. a small lap on a garment or headdress

  3. medium-sized hairy moths; larvae are lappet caterpillars [syn: lappet moth]

Wikipedia
Lappet

A lappet is a decorative flap, fold or hanging part of a headdress or garment. Lappets were a feature of women's headgear until the early 20th century, and are still a feature of religious garments. Examples of lappets are to be found on the papal tiara and on the Nemes headdress of the kings of ancient Egypt. The same term is also used for similar-looking anatomical features on some animals.

Usage examples of "lappet".

His companion laughed brutally at the accident, for there are some natures in the world to which the sight of pain is irresistibly comical, but the injured man cursed aloud, trying to staunch the flow with the lappet of his coat.

Saxon, and reaching out a long sinewy arm he seized the loquacious clerk by the lappet of his gown, and shook him until his long sword clattered again.

Each infant hung from her face, a skin lappet tightly gripped between their small blunt teeth.

A debut an was raising a face ravaged by smallpox beyond the shelter of lappet or ringlet and the Viceroy bent in service to his Queen.

Then it seemed to Tuor that Ulmo parted his grey mantle, and cast to him a lappet, and as it fell about him it was for him a great cloak wherein he might wrap himself over all, from head to foot.

In bed, in the morning, by her side, on the pillow, he watched the sunlight sinking into the down on her fair cheek, half hidden by the lappets of her night-cap.

He wore a blue frock-coat falling in a straight line round his thin body, and his leather cap, with its lappets knotted over the top of his head with string, showed under the turned-up peak a bald forehead, flattened by the constant wearing of a helmet.

She wore a plain black gown with a white collar, a white cap with lappets completely concealing her hair, and no jewellery.

The other sides and the lappets were enriched with lanceshaped ornaments of an exquisite style.

Albert, who availed himself of the few minutes required to reach the opposite side of the theatre to settle the height and smoothness of his collar, and to arrange the lappets of his coat.

Lords and ladies, the former in full-bottomed wigs, hanging sleeves, and swords, the latter in lappets, stays, hoops, and brocade, have been seen walking up and down the great waste chambers on moonlight nights, and are supposed to be the shades of the ancient proprietors in their court-dresses.

But for all her antiquity and lappets, it is not to be supposed what respect and deference Miss Jenny and her brother, the laird, received--nor the small praise that came to my share, for having had the spirit to invite them.

At last the long tulle lappets and the regulation three feathers were pinned in place on the shining curls.

Her mother with her regal plumes and lappets and an ermine cloak over her white satin gown was like a snow queen.

Lords and ladies, the former in full-bottomed wigs, hanging sleeves, and swords, the latter in lappets, stays, hoops, and brocade, have been seen walking up and down the great waste chambers on moonlight nights, and are supposed to be the shades of the ancient proprietors in their court-dresses.