lap
The definition of a lap is one full circuit in a race, or the front part of a person from the waist to the knees when sitting or fabric meant to cover this part, or a hollow area that provides shelter.
(noun)- An example of a lap is one run around a track.
- An example of a lap is where a child sits on her mother.
- An example of a lap is a ditch.
Lap is defined as to fold over, to wrap or to quickly drink.
(verb)- An example of lap is to fold over extra fabric in a tablecloth to make the cloth fit a smaller table.
- An example of lap is to pull a blanket around a child to wrap them in the warmth.
- An example of lap is for a dog to quickly drink up a bowl of water.
See lap in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- Now Rare the loose lower part of a garment, which may be doubled or folded over; skirt of a coat or gown
- the front part of the skirt when it is held up to form a hollow place in which things can be carried
- the front part from the waist to the knees of a person in a sitting position
- the part of the clothing covering this
- anything hollow like a lap, as a valley
- that in which a person or thing rests or is cared for, sheltered, or coddled
- a part extending over another part; overlapping part
- such extension; overlapping
- amount or place of this
- a turn or loop, as of a rope around a post
- a rotating disk for cutting and polishing glass, gems, etc.
- one complete circuit around a racetrack, in a race consisting of more than one
- one part or stage of an extended project
- the act or condition of lapping
Origin: ME lappe < OE læppa, fold or hanging part of a garment, skin; akin to Ger lappen < IE base *leb-, lāb-, to hang down > L labare, to totter, labi, to fall, sink, lapsus, a fall
transitive verb lapped, lapping
- to fold (over or on)
- to wrap; enfold
- to hold in or as in the lap; envelop: lapped in luxury
- to place partly upon something else: to lap one board over another
- to lie partly upon; overlap: one board laps the other
- to cut or polish (glass, gems, etc.) with a lap
- to get a lap ahead of (an opponent) in a race
Origin: ME lappen < the n.
intransitive verb
- to be folded: rough edges must lap under
- to lie partly upon something or upon one another; overlap
- to project beyond something in space, or extend beyond something in time: with over
intransitive verb, transitive verb lapped, lapping
- to drink (a liquid) by dipping it up with the tongue in the manner of a dog
- to move or strike gently with a light splashing sound such as a dog makes in lapping: said of waves, etc.
Origin: ME lapen < OE lapian, akin to MDu lapen, OHG laffan, to lick < IE echoic base *lab-, to lick > L lambere
noun
- the act of lapping
- the sound of lapping
- something that is, or is intended to be, lapped up
Related Forms:
- lapper noun
See lap in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- a. The front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person.b. The portion of a garment that covers the lap.
- A hanging or flaplike part, especially of a garment.
- An area of responsibility, interest, or control: an opportunity that dropped in his lap.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English lappe, lappet, lap
Origin: , from Old English lǽppa, lappet
.Related Forms:
- lapˈfulˌ noun
verb lapped lapped, lap·ping, laps verb, transitive
- a. To place or lay (something) so as to overlap another: lapped the roof tiles so that water would run off.b. To lie partly over or on: each shingle lapping the next; shadows that lapped the wall.
- To fold (something) over onto itself: a cloth edge that had been lapped and sewn to make a hem.
- To wrap or wind around (something); encircle.
- To envelop in something; swathe: models who were lapped in expensive furs.
- To join (pieces, as of wood) by means of a scarf or lap joint.
- Sports To get ahead of (an opponent) in a race by one or more complete circuits of the course, as in running, or by two or more lengths of pool in swimming.
- To convert (cotton or other fibers) into a sheet or layer.
- a. To polish (a surface) until smooth.b. To hone (two mating parts) against each other until closely fitted.
- To lie partly on or over something; overlap.
- To form a lap or fold.
- To wind around or enfold something.
- a. A part that overlaps.b. The amount by which one part overlaps another.
- a. One complete round or circuit, especially of a racetrack.b. One complete length of a straight course, as of a swimming pool.
- A segment or stage, as of a trip.
- a. A length, as of rope, required to make one complete turn around something.b. The act of lapping or encircling.
- A continuous band or layer of cotton, flax, or other fiber.
- A wheel, disk, or slab of leather or metal, either stationary or rotating, used for polishing and smoothing.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English lappen
Origin: , from lappe, lap, lappet; see lap1
.verb lapped lapped, lap·ping, laps verb, transitive
- To take in (a liquid or food) by lifting it with the tongue.
- To wash or slap against with soft liquid sounds: waves lapping the side of the boat.
- To take in a liquid or food with the tongue.
- To wash against something with soft liquid sounds.
- a. The act or an instance of lapping.b. The amount taken in by lapping.
- The sound of lapping.
- A watery food or drink.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English lapen
Origin: , from Old English lapian
.Learn more about lap
