1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or vessel can be controlled.
2 an act of tapping a telephone etc.
3 Brit. a taproom.
4 an instrument for cutting the thread of a female screw.
--v.tr. (tapped, tapping)
1. a provide (a cask) with a tap. b let out (a liquid) by means of, or as if by means of, a tap.
2 draw sap from (a tree) by cutting into it.
3 a obtain information or supplies or resources from. b establish communication or trade with.
4 connect a listening device to (a telephone or telegraph line etc.) to listen to a call or transmission.
5 cut a female screw-thread in.
Phrases and idioms:
on tap
1. ready to be drawn off by tap.
2 colloq. ready for immediate use; freely available. tap root a tapering root growing vertically downwards. tap water water from a piped supply.
Derivatives:
tapless adj. tappable adj.
Etymology: OE t{aelig}ppian (v.), t{aelig}ppa (n.) f. Gmc 2. v. & n.
--v. (tapped, tapping)
1. intr. (foll. by at, on) strike a gentle but audible blow.
2 tr. strike lightly (tapped me on the shoulder).
3 tr. (foll. by against etc.) cause (a thing) to strike lightly (tapped a stick against the window).
4 intr. TAP-DANCE v. (can you tap?).
--n.
1. a a light blow; a rap. b the sound of this (heard a tap at the door).
2 a TAP-DANCE n. (goes to tap classes). b a piece of metal attached to the toe and heel of a tap-dancer's shoe to make the tapping sound.
3 (in pl., usu. treated as sing.) US a a bugle call for lights to be put out in army quarters. b a similar signal at a military funeral.
Derivatives:
tapper n.
Etymology: ME tappe (imit.), perh. through F taper