Rap Definition

răp
rapped, rapping, raps, rapt
verb
rapped, rapping, raps
To knock quickly and sharply.
Webster's New World
To strike quickly and sharply; tap.
Webster's New World
To criticize sharply.
Webster's New World
To criticize or blame.
American Heritage
To seize.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
noun
raps
A quick, sharp knock; tap.
Webster's New World
A knocking or tapping sound.
American Heritage
Blame or punishment, as a prison sentence.
Webster's New World
A talking; chat.
Webster's New World
A reprimand.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
abbreviation
Recognized Air Picture.
Wiktionary
idiom
beat the rap
  • To escape punishment or be acquitted of a charge.
American Heritage
take the rap
  • To accept punishment or take the blame for an offense or error.
American Heritage
rap on the knuckles
  • a mild reprimand or light sentence
Webster's New World
rap out
  • to say or utter sharply

    to rap out an order

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Rap

Noun

Singular:
rap
Plural:
raps

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Rap

Origin of Rap

  • From obsolete rap 18th-century Irish counterfeit halfpenny from Irish Gaelic alteration (possibly influenced by rap piece, bit) of ropaire cutthroat rapparee

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English rappen possibly of imitative origin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Possibly from rap

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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