[lap] n [ME lappe, fr. OE laeppa; akin to OHG lappa flap] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a loose overlapping or hanging panel or flap esp. 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 ~ --Hamilton Basso" -- lap.ful n -- the lap of luxury : an environment of great ease, comfort, and wealth "was reared in the lap of luxury"
[2]lap vb lapped ; lap.ping vt (14c) 1 a: to fold over or around something: wind b: to envelop entirely: swathe
2: to fold over esp. 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 "~ 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) ~ vi 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 n [3]lap n (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 usu. 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) [4]lap vb lapped ; lap.ping [ME, fr. OE lapian; akin to OHG laffan to lick, L lambere, Gk laphyssein to devour] vi (bef. 12c) 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 ~ vt 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 n [5]lap n (14c) 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