Dressing can be a noun or a verb. The word comes from dress, which originally meant speech or talk but later came to mean covering or clothing.

• A dressing is a medical covering for a wound, usually made of cloth. Covering the wound protects it from further injury and infection and is used in cases where there is no allergic reaction to the cloth, and where exposure to oxygen is not considered necessary to the healing process. Larger dressings are usually called bandages, smaller ones sticking plasters or band aids.

• Dressing can also refer to a type of sauce which is generally poured on a salad, or spread on the bread of a sandwich

• Dressing also means the process of covering and arranging something to improve its appearance. For instance, see well dressing.

• Dressing is another name for stuffing, the food item which is placed inside a roasted turkey.

• Dressing also refers to putting on clothing.