n. 1. Dress; raiment; especially, ornamental habiliment or attire. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Surg.) An application (a remedy, bandage, etc.) to cover a sore or wound. Wiseman. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Manure or compost over land. When it remains on the surface, it is called a top-dressing. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. (Cookery) (a) A preparation, such as a sauce, to flavor food for eating; a condiment; as, a dressing for salad. (b) The stuffing of fowls, pigs, etc.; forcemeat. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. Gum, starch, and the like, used in stiffening or finishing silk, linen, and other fabrics. [ 1913 Webster ]
6. An ornamental finish, as a molding around doors, windows, or on a ceiling, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
7. Castigation; scolding; -- often with down. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
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. --
Top-dressing, manure or compost spread over land and not worked into the soil. [ 1913 Webster ]