lap

I

[[t]læp[/t]]

n.

1) anat. the front part of the human body from the waist to the knees when in a sitting position

2) clo the part of the clothing that covers this part of the body

3) a place, environment, or situation of rest or nurture:

the lap of luxury[/ex]

4) an area of responsibility, care, charge, or control:

They dropped the problem right in my lap[/ex]

5) a hollow place, as a hollow among hills

6) clo a part of a garment that extends over another:

the lap of a coat[/ex]

7) a loose border or fold

•

Etymology: bef. 900; ME lappe, OE læppa, c. OFris lappa, OSlappofold, skirt II

lap

[[t]læp[/t]] v. lapped, lap•ping, n.

1) to fold over or around something; wrap or wind

2) to enwrap in something; wrap up; clothe

3) to envelop or enfold:

lapped in luxury[/ex]

4) to lay (something) partly over something underneath

5) to lie partly over (something underneath); overlap

6) to get a lap or more ahead of (a competitor) in racing

7) to cut or polish with a lap

8) bui to join, as by scarfing, to form a single, uniform piece

9) to fold or wind around something

10) to lie partly over or alongside of something else

11) to lie upon and extend beyond a thing; overlap

12) to extend beyond a limit

13) the act of lapping

14) the amount of material required to go around a thing once

15) a complete circuit of a course, as in racing

16) one stage of a long trip, undertaking, etc

17) an overlapping part

18) the extent or amount of overlapping

19) jew a rotating wheel or disk holding an abrasive or polishing powder on its surface, used for gems, cutlery, etc

•

Etymology: 1250–1300; ME lappen to fold, wrap; akin to lap I III

lap

[[t]læp[/t]] v. lapped, lap•ping, n.

1) (of water) to wash against or beat upon (something) with a light, slapping or splashing sound

2) to take in (liquid) with the tongue; lick in

3) to wash or move in small waves with a light, slapping or splashing sound:

The water lapped gently against the mooring[/ex]

4) to take up liquid with the tongue; lick up a liquid

5) phv+inf lap up

a) to take up (liquid) with the tongue, esp. eagerly

b) to receive enthusiastically:

to lap up applause[/ex]

c) to be persuaded about gullibly

6) the act of lapping liquid

7) the lapping of water against something

8) the sound of this:

the quiet lap of the sea on the rocks[/ex]

9) something lapped up, as liquid food for dogs

•

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME lappen, alter. of lapen, OE lapian, c. MLG, MD lapen, OHG laffan lap′per, n. IV

lap

[[t]læp[/t]] v. archaic

pt. of

leap