chaps

[ chaps, shaps ]
/ tʃæps, ʃæps /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR chaps ON THESAURUS.COM

noun (used with a plural verb)

a pair of joined leather leggings, often widely flared, worn over trousers, especially by cowboys, as protection against burs, rope burns, etc., while on horseback.
Also called chaparajos, chaparejos.

Origin of chaps

1810–20, Americanism; short for chaparajos

Words nearby chaps

chappaquiddick incident, chappe, chapped, chappell, chappie, chaps, chapstick, chaptalization, chaptalize, chapter, chapter 11

Definition for chaps (2 of 4)

chap 1
[ chap ]
/ tʃæp /

verb (used with object), chapped, chap·ping.

to crack, roughen, and redden (the skin): The windy, cold weather chapped her lips.
to cause (the ground, wood, etc.) to split, crack, or open in clefts: The summer heat and drought chapped the riverbank.

verb (used without object), chapped, chap·ping.

to become chapped.

noun

a fissure or crack, especially in the skin.
Scot. a knock; rap.

Origin of chap

1
1275–1325; Middle English chappen; cognate with Dutch kappen to cut; akin to chip1

OTHER WORDS FROM chap

un·chapped, adjective

Definition for chaps (3 of 4)

chap 2
[ chap ]
/ tʃæp /

noun

Chiefly British Informal: Older Use. a fellow; man or boy.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a baby or young child.
British Dialect. a customer.

Origin of chap

2
First recorded in 1570–80; short for chapman

Definition for chaps (4 of 4)

chap 3
[ chop, chap ]
/ tʃɒp, tʃæp /

noun

chop3.

Origin of chap

3
1325–75; Middle English; perhaps special use of chap1

Words related to chaps

bloke, lad, boy, man, fellow, gent

Example sentences from the Web for chaps

British Dictionary definitions for chaps (1 of 4)

chaps
/ (tʃæps, ʃæps) /

pl n

leather overalls without a seat, worn by cowboys Also called: chaparejos, chaparajos

Word Origin for chaps

C19: shortened from chaparejos

British Dictionary definitions for chaps (2 of 4)

chap 1
/ (tʃæp) /

verb chaps, chapping or chapped

(of the skin) to make or become raw and cracked, esp by exposure to cold
Scot (of a clock) to strike (the hour)
Scot to knock (at a door, window, etc)

noun

(usually plural) a cracked or sore patch on the skin caused by chapping
Scot a knock

Word Origin for chap

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch, German kappen to chop off

British Dictionary definitions for chaps (3 of 4)

chap 2
/ (tʃæp) /

noun

informal a man or boy; fellow

Word Origin for chap

C16 (in the sense: buyer): shortened from chapman

British Dictionary definitions for chaps (4 of 4)

chap 3
/ (tʃɒp, tʃæp) /

noun

a less common word for chop 3