transitive verb dressed or drest, dressing dress′·ing

1. to put clothes on; clothe
2. to provide with clothing
3. to decorate; trim; adorn
4. to arrange a display in to dress a store window
5. to arrange or do up (the hair)
6. to arrange (troops) in a straight line or lines
7. to apply medicines and bandages to (a wound, sore, etc.)
8. to treat as required in preparing for use, grooming, etc.; esp.,
   1. to clean and eviscerate (a fowl, deer, etc.)
   2. to till, cultivate, or fertilize (fields or plants)
   3. to curry (a horse, leather, etc.)
   4. to smooth, finish, shape, etc. (stone, wood, etc.)

Etymology: ME dressen, to make straight, direct < OFr drecier, to set up, arrange < VL *directiare < L directus: see direct

intransitive verb

1. to put on clothes; wear clothes
2. to dress in formal clothes
3. to get into a straight line or proper alignment: said of troops

noun

1. clothes, clothing, or apparel, esp. as suitable for certain occasions [casual dress] or for a certain place or time modern dress
2. an outer garment for women, having a skirt and usually made in one piece: formerly and traditionally the usual garment for women, now more often limited to somewhat formal occasions
3. formal clothes
4. external covering or appearance

adjective

1. of or for dresses dress material
2. worn on formal occasions a dress suit
3. requiring formal clothes a dress occasion