At all times thou shalt bless God and pray Him to
dress thy ways. --Chaucer.
Note: Dress is used reflexively in Old English, in sense of
``to direct one's step; to address one's self.''
To Grisild again will I me dresse. --Chaucer.
2. (Mil.) To arrange in exact continuity of line, as
soldiers; commonly to adjust to a straight line and at
proper distance; to align; as, to dress the ranks.
3. (Med.) To treat methodically with remedies, bandages, or
curative appliances, as a sore, an ulcer, a wound, or a
wounded or diseased part.
4. To adjust; to put in good order; to arrange; specifically:
(a) To prepare for use; to fit for any use; to render
suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready; as, to
dress a slain animal; to dress meat; to dress leather
or cloth; to dress or trim a lamp; to dress a garden;
to dress a horse, by currying and rubbing; to dress
grain, by cleansing it; in mining and metallurgy, to
dress ores, by sorting and separating them.
2. (Surg.) An application (a remedy, bandage, etc.) to a sore
or wound. --Wiseman.
3. Manure or compost over land. When it remains on the
surface, it is called a top-dressing.
4. (Cookery)
(a) A preparation to fit food for use; a condiment; as, a
dressing for salad.
(b) The stuffing of fowls, pigs, etc.; forcemeat.
5. Gum, starch, and the like, used in stiffening or finishing
silk, linen, and other fabrics.
6. An ornamental finish, as a molding around doors, windows,
or on a ceiling, etc.
7. Castigation; scolding; -- often with down. [Colloq.]
{Dressing case}, a case of toilet utensils.
{Dressing forceps}, a variety of forceps, shaped like a pair
of scissors, used in dressing wounds.
{Dressing gown}, a light gown, such as is used by a person
while dressing; a study gown.
{Dressing room}, an apartment appropriated for making one's
toilet.
{Dressing table}, a table at which a person may dress, and on
which articles for the toilet stand.
{Top-dressing}, manure or compost spread over land and not
worked into the soil.