▪ I. napping, vbl. n.1
(ˈnæpɪŋ)
[f. nap v.1 + -ing1.]
The action of sleeping or taking a nap.
| c 825 Vesp. Psalter cxxxi. 4 ᵹif ic sellu slep eᵹum minum oððe breᵹum minum hneappunge. a 1380 St. Aug. 486 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 70 Þou seist i schal slep and take napping sone. c 1440 York Myst. xxix. 84 Warne all wightis to be in pees, For I am late layde vnto napping. 1549 Latimer 6th Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 166, I had rather ye should go a napping to the sermons, than not to go at al. 1846 Landor Imag. Conv., Southey & Landor Wks. II. 69 This really is no napping; it is heavy snoring. |
▪ II. ˈnapping, vbl. n.2
[f. nap v.2]
The action of raising a nap on cloth (also attrib.); the nap itself; the material employed for the nap of hats.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 358/1 Noppynge, villositas, villatura. 1839 Ure Dict. Arts 635 The first cover of beaver or napping..is strewed equably over the body, and patted on with a brush. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 1510/2 Napping, a sheet of partially felted fur... It becomes the nap of the hat. Ibid., Napping-machine, a machine for raising the nap or pile on woollen and cotton fabrics. |
▪ III. ˈnapping, vbl. n.3
[f. nap v.3: see also knapping vbl. n.]
Cheating. Also attrib.
| 1673 R. Head Canting Acad. 97 What chance of the Dye is soonest thrown, in topping, slurring, palming, napping. 1700 T. Brown tr. Fresny's Amusem. Wks. 1709 III. 71 Assisting the Frail square Dye with high and low Fullums, and other Napping Tricks. |
▪ IV. napping
variant of knapping vbl. n.
▪ V. napping, ppl. a.
(ˈnæpɪŋ)
[f. nap v.1 + -ing2.]
Taking a nap.
| a 1650 in Westm. Gaz. (1901) 16 May 2/3 How can that Ship but dash on ev'ry shelf, Whose napping Pilot cannot guide himself? 1868 Geo. Eliot Sp. Gipsy 243 Nay, I endure nought worse than napping sheep, When nimble birds uproot a fleecy lock To line their nest. |
▪ VI. ˈnapping, a. rare—1.
= nappy a.2
| c 1685 Debtford Plumb Cake in Bagford Ball. (1876) 71 With each some Plumb Cake in her hand and Cup of good napping Ale. |