drap

Drap is a term that appears in different linguistic and textile contexts. It does not designate a single object or concept, but rather relates to cloth and fabric in several languages and to the handling of fabric in fashion and decoration.

In French, drap is a common noun meaning cloth, fabric, or sheet. It is used for both everyday textiles and household items, with the plural form draps referring to sheets or fabrics in general.

In English and related textile vocabulary, the root associated with drap is drape, describing how fabric falls, hangs, or is arranged. The noun drape or drapery denotes fabric used to cover or decorate a space or body, while the verb drape means to arrange fabric loosely or gracefully over something. The terms are etymologically linked to the idea of cloth, and drap is sometimes discussed as a cognate form in textile literature, though it is not standard English.

Because of its multilingual usage and its ties to textiles, the meaning of drap should be inferred from context. In everyday language, drap most readily evokes cloth or fabric through its French sense; in fashion and interior design, related terms such as drape and drapery describe fabric’s behavior and use. Overall, drap illustrates how language and material culture intersect in discussions of cloth and its presentation.