[sap] n [ME, fr. OE saep; akin to OHG saf sap] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the fluid part of a plant; specif: a watery solution that circulates through a plant's vascular system b (1): a body fluid (as blood) essential to life, health, or vigor (2): bodily health and vigor
2: a foolish gullible person
3: blackjack, bludgeon -- sap.less adj -- sap.less.ness n
[2]sap vt sapped ; sap.ping (1725) 1: to drain or deprive of sap
2: to knock out with a sap [3]sap vb sapped ; sap.ping [MF sapper, fr. OIt zappare, fr. zappa hoe] vi (1598): to proceed by digging a sap ~ vt 1: to subvert by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation: undermine
2. a: to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of "sapped her strength" b: to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of
3: to operate against or pierce by a sap syn see weaken [4]sap n [MF sape, fr. saper] (1642): the extension of a trench to a point beneath an enemy's fortifications