online medical dictionary | definition of apparel

1. To make or get (something) ready; to prepare.

2. To furnish with apparatus; to equip; to fit out. "Ships . . . Appareled to fight." (Hayward)

3. To dress or clothe; to attire. "They which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts." (Luke vii. 25)

4. To dress with external ornaments; to cover with something ornamental; to deck; to embellish; as, trees appareled with flowers, or a garden with verdure. "Appareled in celestial light." (Wordsworth)

Origin: Appareled, or Apparelled; Appareling, or Apparelling] [OF. Apareiller.

1. External clothing; vesture; garments; dress; garb; external habiliments or array. "Fresh in his new apparel, proud and young." (Denham) "At public devotion his resigned carriage made religion appear in the natural apparel of simplicity." (Tatler)

2. A small ornamental piece of embroidery worn on albs and some other ecclesiastical vestments.

3. The furniture of a ship, as masts, sails, rigging, anchors, guns, etc.

Synonyms: Dress, clothing, vesture, garments, raiment, garb, costume, attire, habiliments.

Origin: OE. Apparel, apareil, OF. Apareil, appareil, preparation, provision, furniture, OF. Apareiller to match, prepare, F. Appareiller; OF. A (L. Ad) + pareil like, similar, fr. LL. Pariculus, dim. Of L. Par equal. See Pair.

(01 Mar 1998)