apron

Rebracketing of napron (a napron → an apron), from Middle English naperon, napron, from Old French napperon, diminutive of nappe (“tablecloth”), from Latin mappa (“napkin”). The phrase a napron was reinterpreted as an apron, which is why the initial n is now missing. For other similar cases of rebracketing, see adder, daffodil, newt, nickname, orange, umpire.

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈeɪ.pɹən/

• Audio (US)

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apron (plural aprons)

1. An article of clothing worn over the front of the torso and/or legs for protection from spills; also historically worn by Freemasons and as part of women's fashion.
2. The short cassock ordinarily worn by English bishops.
3. A hard surface bordering a structure or area.
   1. (aviation) The paved area of an airport, especially the area where aircraft park away from a terminal
   2. The spreading end of a driveway.
   3. The paved area below the yellow line on a race track.
   4. The loading, parking or roadway area immediately beside a railway station
   5. The portion of a stage extending towards the audience beyond the proscenium arch in a theatre.
   6. (pinball) A large decal toward the bottom of a pinball table.
4. The sides of a tree's canopy.
5. The cap of a cannon; a piece of lead laid over the vent to keep the priming dry.
6. A removable cover for the passengers' feet and legs in an open horse carriage.

apron (third-person singular simple present aprons, present participle aproning, simple past and past participle aproned)

1. (transitive) To cover with, or as if with, an apron.

• on par

apron

1. accusative singular of apro

apron

1. Alternative form of naperon