Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary & Thesaurus

Main Entry: dap.per
Pronunciation: 'da-p&r
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English dapyr, from Middle Dutch dapper quick, strong; akin to Old High German tapfar heavy, Old Church Slavonic debelu thick
Date: 15th century
1 a : neat and trim in appearance b : excessively spruce and stylish
2 : alert and lively in movement and manners
- dap.per.ly adverb
- dap.per.ness noun

-I don't know if Merriam-Webster's gets any respect around here ;¬)
not necessarily anything new, but it's the way I've always used the word. Hercule Poirot is dapper.

and I've always loved the line "I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep", crafted with a great melody...


formerly known as etaoin...