trapo

Portuguese

Etymology

From Late Latin trapus, alternative form of drappus (“piece of cloth”), probably from Frankish *drapi, *drāpi (“that which is fulled, drabcloth”), from Proto-Germanic *drepaną (“to beat, strike”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰrebʰ- (“to beat, crush, make or become thick”)

Pronunciation

• Audio (BR)

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɾa.po/
• (South Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈtɾa.po/
• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈtɾa.po/
• Hyphenation: tra‧po

Noun

trapo m (plural trapos)

1. tatter (a shred of torn cloth)
2. rag (piece of old cloth)

Synonyms

• farrapo, frangalho, pano

Derived terms

• a todo trapo
• estar um trapo

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Spanish

Etymology

From Late Latin drappus (“cloth”). Compare French drap, drapeau.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈtɾa̠.po̞]
• See also: trabo, atrapo

Noun

trapo m (plural trapos)

1. rag
2. any piece of cloth
3. any fabric or paper piece for clean, wash or dry (tea towel, dish towel, dish cloth, dust cloth, car towel, damp cloth)

Related terms

• trapear
• trapero

Usage notes

• Trapo is a false friend of English trap; actual translations of trap into Spanish are trampa (noun) and atrapar (verb).

Anagrams

• tropa