n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: tapped ; tap · ping
Etymology: Middle English tappen, from Old French taper to strike with the flat of the hand, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German t ā pe paw, blow dealt with the paw
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
2 : to give a light blow with < tap a pencil on the table>
3 : to bring about by repeated light blows < tap out a story on the typewriter>
4 : to repair by putting a tap on
5 : SELECT , DESIGNATE <was tapped for police commissioner> specifically : to elect to membership (as in a fraternity)
intransitive verb
1 : to strike a light audible blow : RAP
2 : to walk with light audible steps
3 : TAP-DANCE
– tap · per noun