sap
sap1 definition
sap (sap)
noun
- the juice that circulates through a plant, esp. a woody plant, bearing water, food, etc. to the tissues
- any fluid vital to the life or health of an organism
- vigor; vitality
Etymology: < saphead
Slang a stupid person; fool
Etymology: ME < OE sæp, akin to Ger saft < IE base *sab-, var. of *sap-, to taste, perceive > L sapere, to taste, know
Related Forms:
- sapless sap′·less adjective
sap2 definition
sap (sap)
noun
an extended, narrow trench for approaching or undermining an enemy position or fortification
Etymology: MFr sappe < the v.
transitive verb sapped, sapping sap′·ping
- to undermine by digging away foundations; dig beneath
- to undermine in any way; weaken; exhaust
Etymology: MFr sapper < sappe, a hoe < VL sappa, orig. he-goat, prob. < Illyrian *zapp-
intransitive verb
- to dig saps
- to approach an enemy's position by saps
sap3 definition
sap (sap)
Browse dictionary definitions near sap
Also Mentioned In