dressing-down

[ dres-ing-doun ]
/ ˈdrɛs ɪŋˈdaʊn /

noun

a severe reprimand; scolding.

Origin of dressing-down

1860–65, Americanism; noun use (with -ing1) of verb phrase dress down

Definition for dressing down (2 of 2)

Origin of dress

1275–1325; Middle English dressen < Anglo-French dresser, dresc(i)er, to arrange, prepare, Old French drecier < Vulgar Latin *dīrēctiāre, derivative of Latin dīrēctus direct; noun use of v. in sense “attire” from circa 1600

SYNONYMS FOR dress

1 frock.
2 raiment, attire, clothes, habit, garments, vestments, habiliments.

synonym study for dress

1. Dress, costume, gown refer to garments for women. Dress is the general term for a garment: a black dress. Costume is used of the style of dress appropriate to some occasion, purpose, period, or character, especially as used on the stage, at balls, at court, or the like, and may apply to men's garments as well: an 18th-century costume. Gown is usually applied to a dress more expensive and elegant than the ordinary, usually long, to be worn on a special occasion: a wedding gown.

OTHER WORDS FROM dress

half-dressed, adjective out·dress, verb (used with object)

British Dictionary definitions for dressing down (1 of 2)

dress
/ (drɛs) /

verb

noun

See also dress down, dress up

Word Origin for dress

C14: from Old French drecier, ultimately from Latin dīrigere to direct

British Dictionary definitions for dressing down (2 of 2)

dressing-down

noun

informal a severe scolding or thrashing

Medical definitions for dressing down

dress
[ drĕs ]

v.

To apply medication, bandages, or other therapeutic materials to an area of the body such as a wound.