I. ˈrap noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English rappe, probably of imitative origin
1.
a. : a quick sharp blow
got a rap on the knuckles from the teacher's stick
b. : a sharp knock
heard a rap on the door
2.
a. : a sharp rebuke
got a hard rap from his boss for the blunder
b. : an adverse criticism
annoyed by her raps at his slowness
3.
a.
(1) : the legal responsibility for and consequences of a criminal act
accused of trying to take the rap for his fellow officers — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
(2) : a criminal charge
in court to face a forgery rap
(3) : a prison sentence
sent up for a 30 year rap
b. : the blame for or adverse consequences of an action
scapegoats … who took the rap and kept their mouths shut — Percy Winner
4. slang : an identification of one charged with a crime
II. verb
( rapped ; rapped ; rapping ; raps )
Etymology: Middle English rappen, probably of imitative origin
transitive verb
1. : to strike with a quick smart blow
rap struggling rioters with nightsticks
rapped a double off the left-field wall — W.G.Smith
: strike a rap with
raps his pipe on the ashtray
2. : to utter suddenly and forcibly — usually used with out
raps out a series of curt commands
3. slang : to swear or testify to especially falsely
4.
a. : to cause to be or come by rapping
rap the occupants awake
rap the meeting to order
b. : to communicate (a message) by knocks
says the spirit raps out an answer to the medium's question
5. : to censure severely : criticize sharply
criticism … rapping the pretensions of semi-intellectuals — B.R.Redman
6. slang : to arrest, hold, or sentence on a criminal charge
had been … rapped with one-to-ten years at the state reformatory — Bunque Mooney
intransitive verb
1. : to strike a person or thing with a quick sharp blow or succession of blows
raps on wood for good luck
2. : to make a short sharp sound or a succession of such sounds
clatter of hoofs rapped sharply from the walls — Zane Grey
III. transitive verb
( rapped also rapt ; rapped also rapt ; rapping ; raps )
Etymology: back-formation from rapt (I)
1. obsolete : to snatch and steal : grab
2.
a. : to snatch away : to seize and hurry off
b. : to carry upward (as by supernatural force)
it rapt us from red gulphs of war — P.B.Shelley
3. : to transport out of oneself : affect with ecstasy or rapture
•
- rap and rend
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps from rap (I)
1.
a. : a counterfeit halfpenny in circulation in Ireland early in the 18th century
b. : a coin of trifling value
2. : the least bit
don't care a rap
V. ˈrap noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: perhaps by shortening & alteration from repartee
1. : talk : conversation
2. : spiel IV
the salesman's smooth rap
3.
a. : a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a rhythmic accompaniment
b. : a piece so performed
VI. " intransitive verb
( rapped ; rapped ; rapping ; raps -s )
1. : to talk freely and frankly
at the corner bar rapping — Newsweek
2. : to perform rap music
• rap·per noun