napery

noun

na·​pery ˈnā-p(ə-)rē 

: household linen

especially : table linen

Did you know?

Napery has been used as a fancy word for our household linens, especially those used to cover a table, since the 14th century. The word derives via Middle English from Anglo-French nape, meaning "tablecloth," and ultimately from Latin mappa, "napkin." You can see part of the word napkin in that root; another, much less obvious relative is apron, which was once spelled as napron in Middle English but gradually evolved to its current spelling by way of English speakers habitually misdividing the phrase a napron as an apron.

Examples of napery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are 56 seats in a somewhat formal room with a big bar, white napery and white brick walls. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2022

There’s white napery on the tables, but the kitchen produces a home-style veal Parm for takeout. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 5 May 2020

The napery has an authentic, historical charm that’s right on trend. —Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French naperie, from nape tablecloth — more at napkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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