dressing

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A therapeutic or protective material applied to a wound.
2. n. A sauce for certain dishes, such as salads.
3. n. A stuffing, as for poultry or fish.
4. n. Manure or other fertilizing material for soil.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The act of one who dresses; the act or process of adjusting, preparing, trimming, finishing, etc., in any sense of the verb dress. Specifically, in metallurgy, the mechanical treatment which an ore receives after being brought to the surface; concentration. This is almost always done in water, and with the aid of suitable machinery. (See cob, jig, buddle.) The dressing of an ore, or the mechanical treatment, necessarily precedes the smelting, or chemical treatment. In the former it is chiefly the difference in specific gravity between the metalliferous portion of the vein and the veinstone itself of which advantage is taken for effecting a separation. In the chemical treatment the result depends on the various reactions which the substances present have with one another when exposed to a high temperature or smelted.
2. n. That which is used in dressing or preparing anything, as for use or ornament. Specifically— In medicine and surgery, the remedy or apparatus applied to a wound or sore, etc.
3. n. A thrashing; a flogging or beating; a reprimand or scolding.

Wiktionary

1. n. Material applied to a wound for protection or therapy.
2. n. A sauce, especially a cold one for salads.
3. n. Something added to the soil as a fertilizer etc.
4. n. The activity of getting dressed.
5. v. present participle of dress.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. Dress; raiment; especially, ornamental habiliment or attire.
2. n. An application (a remedy, bandage, etc.) to cover a sore or wound.
3. n. Manure or compost over land. When it remains on the surface, it is called a top-dressing.
4. n. A preparation, such as a sauce, to flavor food for eating; a condiment.
5. n. The stuffing of fowls, pigs, etc.; forcemeat.
6. n. Gum, starch, and the like, used in stiffening or finishing silk, linen, and other fabrics.
7. n. An ornamental finish, as a molding around doors, windows, or on a ceiling, etc.
8. n. Castigation; scolding; -- often with down.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a mixture of seasoned ingredients used to stuff meats and vegetables
2. n. the activity of getting dressed; putting on clothes
3. n. a cloth covering for a wound or sore
4. n. processes in the conversion of rough hides into leather
5. n. the act of applying a bandage
6. n. savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
7. n. making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure