crape
UK[kreɪp]US[kreɪp]
n
A thin, light fabric with a wrinkled surface.
n
A band of black silk or other material worn as a sign of mourning, especially around a hat or arm.
n
(also 'crepe') A thin, light pancake.
Etymology
The word 'crape' entered English in the late 16th century from the French word 'crêpe', meaning a curled or crimped fabric. This French term derived from the Latin 'crispa', the feminine form of 'crispus', meaning 'curled, wrinkled, or having a wavy surface'. The Latin root 'crispus' is likely of onomatopoeic origin, imitating the crinkling sound or appearance. The English spelling 'crape' became standard for the mourning fabric, while 'crepe' was adopted for the pancake and other uses, preserving the direct link to the original sense of a wrinkled or crinkled texture.
Analysis
The word 'crape' is a simplex loanword from French. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The dress was made of a delicate black crape.
He wore a hat with a crape band after the funeral.
For dessert, they served lemon and sugar on a fresh crape.