LAP

n. 1 a the front of the body from the waist to the knees of a sitting person (sat on her lap; caught it in his lap). b the clothing, esp. a skirt, covering the lap. c the front of a skirt held up to catch or contain something. 2 a hollow among hills. 3 a hanging flap on a garment, a saddle, etc. øin (or on) a person's lap as a person's responsibility. in the lap of the gods (of an event etc.) open to chance; beyond human control. in the lap of luxury in extremely luxurious surroundings. lap-dog a small pet dog. lap robe US a travelling-rug. øølapful n. (pl. -fuls). [OE lóppa fold, flap]