n. & v.
n. 1 a strip of leather or other flexible material, often with a buckle or other fastening for holding things together etc. 2 a thing like this for keeping a garment in place. 3 a loop for grasping to steady oneself in a moving vehicle. 4 a a strip of metal used to secure or connect. b a leaf of a hinge. 5 Bot. a tongue-shaped part in a floret. 6 (prec. by the) punishment by beating with a strap.
v.tr. (strapped, strapping) 1 (often foll. by down, up, etc.) secure or bind with a strap. 2 beat with a strap. 3 (esp. as strapped adj.) colloq. subject to a shortage. 4 (often foll. by up) close (a wound) or bind (a part) with adhesive plaster. strap-work ornamentation imitating plaited straps. strapper n. strappy adj.
[ dial. form of STROP ]