Tapirus (tapir us)

[NL., tapis (tap'is or ta-pē'), n. [In mod. use as mere F.; in earlier use as in the verb; tapecium, also also tapecius, tapecia, tapezia, etc., figured cloth, tapestry, carpe tapestry, carpet, rug, pall, etc., Gr. ταπήτιον, dim. of τάπης (ταπητ-), figured cloth, tapestry, tapestry, etc.: see tappet. Hence tapis, v., and tapistru. tapistry, now tapestry.] tapestry.] Woolen material used for floor-cloths and hangings, as carpeting, rugs, and tapestry. Hence, since such material was used for table-cloths, to be upon the tapis is to be on the table, or under consideration. The House of Lords sate till past five at night. Lord Church ill and Lord Go dolphin went away, and gave no votes in the matter which was upon the tapis . Clarendon, Diary, May 2, 1690. When anything was supposed to be upon the tapis worth knowing or listening to, 'twas the rule to leave the door not absolutely shut, but somewhat ajar. Sterne, Tristram Shandy, v. 6. Tapis de verdure. Same as verdure . tapist (tap'is), v . t . [Early mod. E. also tape ; tapi er , furnish with tapestry, tapis , tapestry: see tapis , n.] 1. To cover with ornamental figures as in tapestry; embroider. The windowes beautified with greene quishins, wrought and tapi ed with floures of all colours. Holland, tr. of Pliny, xix. 4. 2. To carpet; hang with tapestry; upholster. The place where the a embly is is richly tape ed and hanged. Sir T. Smith , quoted in Stubbs's Const. Hist., § 443. tapisert (tap'is-ér), n. [ME., also tapicer , tape cer, tapesere, tapi ier = Sp. tapicero = Pg . tapiceiro = It. tappezziere , tape tiar i us (also tapicerius , after Rom.), one who makes or has charge of tapestry, carpets, etc., tapetium , tapestry, carpet, etc.: see tapis , tappet1 .] A maker of carpets or of tapestry. A web be, a dyere, and a tapicer. Chaucer , Gen. Prol. to C. T., 1. 362.