Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRAPE, n. [Fr. crêpe and crêper, to curl, to crisp, to frizzle; Arm. crep; Sp. crespon, crape; crespo, crisp, curled; crespar, to crisp or curl; Port. crespam. Crape is contracted from cresp, crisp. D. krip, G. krepp, Dan. krep. See Crisp.]

A thin transparent stuff, made of raw silk gummed and twisted on the mill, woven without crossing, and much used in mourning. Crape is also used for gowns and the dress of the clergy. A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn. – Pope.