[F. crêpe, in 16th c. crespe:—L. crispa curled.] The French word for CRAPE (used in that language in the early wider sense, and including crêpe anglais, which is called crape in English), often borrowed as a term for all crapy fabrics other than ordinary black mourning crape.
Crêpe de Chine (China crape), a white or other colored crape made of raw silk. Crêpe lisse, smooth or glossy crape, which is not crêpé or wrinkled. Also attrib.
1825. Ladies Pocket Mag., I. 140. Dress of white crêpe-lisse, trimmed at the border with an ornament of puckered tulle.
1881. Truth, 19 May, 686/2. A dress … of white crêpe, with silk embroidery of jasmine and honeysuckle.
1887. Daily News, 11 May, 5/8. This blossom-dress was lightly veiled with crêpe of pale rose-pink.
1887. Times, 19 Sept., 5/6. Her Royal Highness wore a costume of pearl satin and crêpe de Chine.
Hence Crêpe v. [F. crêper], to frizz, to put up in curl-papers. Crêpé [F.], frizzed. Crêpy a., of the nature of crêpe.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xl. It was a pity to waste so much paper, which might crepe hair, pin up bonnets, and serve many other useful purposes.
1862. H. Marryat, Year in Sweden, II. 41. Grayish hair, frizzed, in short crépé curls.
1892. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 June, 1/3. A full vest of white crêpy stuft.
