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tap

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To tap is defined as to strike gently and quickly or to put a hole in something to get liquid out.

(verb)

An example of to tap is to lightly strumming a pen on a desk.
An example of to tap is to get maple syrup out of a tree.

The definition of a tap is a gentle strumming or striking or an instrument for drawing out liquid.

(noun)

An example of a tap is a light strumming of fingers on a desk.
An example of a tap is a tool for getting beer out of a keg.

See tap in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb tapped, tapping

to strike lightly and rapidly
to strike something lightly, and often repeatedly, with
to make or do by tapping: to tap a message with the fingers
☆ to choose or designate, as for membership in a club
to repair (a shoe) by adding a thickness of leather, etc. to the heel or sole

Origin: ME tappen < OFr taper, prob. of echoic orig.

intransitive verb

to strike a light, rapid blow or a series of such blows
to perform a tap dance
to move with a tapping sound

noun

a light, rapid blow, or the sound made by it
the leather, etc. added in tapping a shoe
1. a small, metal plate attached to the heel or toe of a shoe, as for tap-dancing
2. the act or skill of tap-dancing

Related Forms:

tapper noun

noun

a device for starting or stopping the flow of liquid in a pipe, barrel, etc.; faucet
a plug, cork, etc. for stopping a hole in a container holding a liquid
liquor of a certain kind or quality, as drawn from a certain tap
taproom
the act or an instance of draining liquid, as from a body cavity
a tool used to cut threads inside a nut, pipe, etc.
☆ the act or an instance of wiretapping
Elec. a place in a circuit where a connection can be made

Origin: ME tappe < OE tæppa, akin to Ice tappi < IE *dāp- < base *da-, to divide > tide

transitive verb tapped, tapping

to put a tap or spigot on
to make a hole in for drawing off liquid: to tap a sugar maple
to pull out the tap or plug from
to draw (liquid) from a container, cavity, etc.
to draw upon; make use of: to tap new resources
1. to make a connection with (a water main, electrical circuit, etc.)
2. ☆ to make a secret connection with (a telephone line) in order to overhear or record private conversations
to cut threads on the inner surface of (a nut, pipe, etc.)
Slang to borrow or get money from

Origin: ME tappen < OE tæppian < the n.

intransitive verb

to use, draw upon, make a connection with, etc.: with into

Related Forms:

tapper noun

See tap in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb tapped tapped, tap·ping, taps

verb, transitive

To strike gently with a light blow or blows: I tapped you on the shoulder to get your attention.
To give a light rap with: tap a pencil.
To produce with a succession of light blows: tap out a rhythm.
To select, as for membership in an organization; designate. See Synonyms at appoint.
a. To repair (shoe heels or toes) by applying a thin layer of leather or a substitute material.
b. To attach metal plates to (shoe toes or heels).

verb, intransitive

To deliver a gentle, light blow or blows.
To walk making light clicks.

noun

a. A gentle blow.
b. The sound made by such a blow.
a. A thin layer of leather or a substitute applied to a worn-down shoe heel or toe.
b. A metal plate attached to the toe or heel of a shoe, as for tap-dancing.
Linguistics See flap.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English tappen

Origin: , possibly from Old French taper

noun

A valve and spout used to regulate delivery of a fluid at the end of a pipe.
A plug for a bunghole; a spigot.
a. Liquor drawn from a spigot.
b. Liquor of a particular brew, cask, or quality.
Medicine The removal of fluid from a body cavity: a spinal tap.
A tool for cutting an internal screw thread.
A makeshift terminal in an electric circuit.
A wiretap.

transitive verb tapped tapped, tap·ping, taps

To furnish with a spigot or tap.
To pierce in order to draw off liquid: tap a maple tree.
To draw (liquid) from a vessel or container: tap a new keg of beer.
Medicine To withdraw fluid from (a body cavity).
To make a physical connection with or open outlets from: tap a water main.
a. To wiretap (a telephone).
b. To establish an electric connection in (a power line), as to divert current secretly.
To establish access to or a connection with: tapped a new market for inexpensive books.
To take advantage of; make use of: tapped voter anger to win the election.
To cut screw threads in (a collar, socket, or other fitting).
Informal To ask (a person) for money.

Phrasal Verb: tap into To establish a connection with; have access to: tapped into a new market for their products. To take advantage of: tapped into their enthusiasm to improve the school.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English tappe

Origin: , from Old English tǽppa

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