dress
UK[drɛs]US[drɛs]
v
To put clothes on oneself or someone else.
v
To put a special covering on something, such as a wound or a salad.
n
A piece of clothing for a woman or girl that covers the body from the shoulders to the legs.
Etymology
The word 'dress' began its journey in Latin as 'directus', the past participle of 'dirigere', meaning to set straight or arrange. It entered English via the Anglo-French 'dresser', which carried the sense of preparing, arranging, or putting in order. This core idea of arrangement logically extended to the preparation of one's attire, shifting the primary meaning from general preparation to the specific act of putting on clothes. Over time, the verb also gave rise to the noun form, referring to the garment itself, particularly a one-piece garment for women, completing its evolution from a concept of direction to one of sartorial presentation.
Analysis
The modern English word 'dress' is a simplex word derived from the Anglo-French 'dresser', meaning to arrange or set right. Its ultimate origin is the Latin verb 'directus', meaning to guide, direct, or set straight.
Examples
She helped her young son dress for school.
The nurse will dress the wound with a clean bandage.
She wore a beautiful blue dress to the party.