\A"pron\ ([=a]"p[u^]rn or [=a]"pr[u^]n; 277), n. [OE.
napron, OF. naperon, F. napperon, dim. of OF. nape, F. nappe,
cloth, tablecloth, LL. napa, fr. L. mappa, napkin, table
napkin. See {Map}.]
1. An article of dress, of cloth, leather, or other stuff,
   worn on the fore part of the body, to keep the clothes
   clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is
   commonly tied at the waist by strings.
2. Something which by its shape or use suggests an apron; as,
   (a) The fat skin covering the belly of a goose or duck.
       [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
   (b) A piece of leather, or other material, to be spread
       before a person riding on an outside seat of a
       vehicle, to defend him from the rain, snow, or dust; a
       boot. ``The weather being too hot for the apron.''
       --Hughes.
   (c) (Gun.) A leaden plate that covers the vent of a
       cannon.
   (d) (Shipbuilding) A piece of carved timber, just above
       the foremost end of the keel. --Totten.
   (e) A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a
       dock, against which the dock gates are shut.
   (f) A flooring of plank before a dam to cause the water to
       make a gradual descent.
   (g) (Mech.) The piece that holds the cutting tool of a
       planer.
   (h) (Plumbing) A strip of lead which leads the drip of a
       wall into a gutter; a flashing.
   (i) (Zo["o]l.) The infolded abdomen of a crab.