napworn

English

Alternative forms

• nap-worn

Etymology

From nap +‎ worn.

Adjective

napworn (comparative more napworn, superlative most napworn)

1. (of fabric) Having its fuzzy surface worn down or off.

   napworn velvet

   • 1822, Richard Henry Dana, The Idle Man, New York: Wiley & Halsted, “Letter from Town. No. 2,” pp. 56-57,^[1]

     his hat, which had grown nap-worn and round edged through use

   • 1979, Cormac McCarthy, Suttree, New York: Knopf Doubleday, published 2010, page 403:

     He spent long hours in bed, his head hanging over the edge of the covers watching how the purfling of scorpions on the raw and napworn carpet went head and tail.

2. (of a person) Wearing clothing of worn material.
   • 1950, William Goyen, chapter 2, in The House of Breath‎^[2], New York: Persea Books, published 1986, page 7:

     […] lichen grew on an ancient fence like an old old sheep’s coat; and stroking it with my hand once made me feel how old and lusterless and napworn you might be.

Synonyms

• threadbare