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Added 9 October 2026

nape

/neɪp/ noun

In Latin: nucha Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about nape at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The back part of the neck.
The part of a fish or bird immediately behind the head.

noun

A tablecloth.

verb

To bombard with napalm.

Origin

From Middle English nape, naape, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old French hanap (“goblet”), from Frankish *hnapp, from Proto-Germanic *hnappaz ( > Old English hnæpp, hnæp (“cup, bowl, goblet”)), as there is a hollow at the base of the skull. More at nap.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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