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drabness

 - 3 dictionary results

drab

1  [drab] adjective, drab⋅ber, drab⋅best, noun
Use drabness in a Sentence
–adjective
1. dull; cheerless; lacking in spirit, brightness, etc.
2. having the color drab.
–noun
3. dull gray; dull brownish or yellowish gray.
4. any of several fabrics of this color, esp. of thick wool or cotton.
Origin:
1535–45; < MF drap < LL drappus piece of cloth

Related forms:
drably, adverb
drabness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To drabness
drab 1   (drāb)   
adj.   drab·ber, drab·best

    1. Of a dull grayish to yellowish brown.

    2. Of a light olive brown or khaki color.

  2. Faded and dull in appearance.

  3. Dull or commonplace in character; dreary: a drab personality. See Synonyms at dull.

n.  

  1. A dull grayish to yellowish or light olive brown.

  2. Cloth of this color or of an unbleached natural color.


[Alteration of obsolete French drap, cloth, from Old French; see drape.]
drab'ly adv., drab'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

drab 
1686, "color of natural, undyed cloth," from M.Fr. drap (see drape). Figurative sense is c.1880. Apparently not related to earlier word meaning "a dirty, untidy woman" (c.1515), "a prostitute" (c.1530), which seems to be connected with Ir. drabog, Gael. drabag "dirty woman," and perhaps with Low Ger. drabbe "dirt."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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