I. ˈlap noun
Etymology: Middle English lappe, from Old English læppa; akin to Old High German lappa flap
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a loose overlapping or hanging panel or flap especially of a garment
b. archaic : the skirt of a coat or dress
2.
a. : the clothing that lies on the knees, thighs, and lower part of the trunk when one sits
b. : the front part of the lower trunk and thighs of a seated person
3. : responsible custody : control
going to drop the whole thing in your lap — Hamilton Basso
• lap·ful ˈlap-ˌfu̇l noun
•
- the lap of luxury
II. verb
( lapped ; lap·ping )
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to fold over or around something : wind
b. : to envelop entirely : swathe
2. : to fold over especially into layers
3. : to hold protectively in or as if in the lap : cuddle
4.
a. : to place over and cover a part of : overlap
lap shingles on a roof
b. : to join (as two boards) by a lap joint
5.
a. : to dress, smooth, or polish (as a metal surface) to a high degree of refinement or accuracy
b. : to shape or fit by working two surfaces together with or without abrasives until a very close fit is produced
6.
a. : to overtake and thereby lead or increase the lead over (another contestant) by a full circuit of a racecourse
b. : to complete the circuit of (a racecourse)
intransitive verb
1. : fold , wind
2.
a. : to project beyond or spread over something
b. : to lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another : overlap
3. : to traverse a course
• lap·per noun
III. noun
Date: 1800
1.
a. : the amount by which one object overlaps or projects beyond another
b. : the part of an object that overlaps another
2. : a smoothing and polishing tool usually consisting of a piece of wood, leather, felt, or soft metal in a special shape used with or without an embedded abrasive
3. : a doubling or layering of a flexible substance (as fibers or paper)
4.
a. : the act or an instance of traversing a course (as a racing track or swimming pool) ; also : the distance covered
b. : one segment of a larger unit (as a journey)
c. : one complete turn (as of a rope around a drum)
IV. verb
( lapped ; lap·ping )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lapian; akin to Old High German laffan to lick, Latin lambere, Greek laphyssein to devour
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to take in food or drink with the tongue
2.
a. : to make a gentle intermittent splashing sound
b. : to move in little waves : wash
transitive verb
1.
a. : to take in (food or drink) with the tongue
b. : to take in or absorb eagerly or quickly — used with up
the crowd lapped up every word he said
2. : to flow or splash against in little waves
• lap·per noun
V. noun
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : an act or instance of lapping
b. : the amount that can be carried to the mouth by one lick or scoop of the tongue
2. : a thin or weak beverage or food
3. : a gentle splashing sound