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lap³

(lăp)

v. lapped, lap·ping, laps

v.tr.

1. To take in (a liquid or food) by lifting it with the tongue.

2. To wash or slap against with soft liquid sounds: waves lapping the side of the boat.

v.intr.

1. To take in a liquid or food with the tongue.

2. To wash against something with soft liquid sounds.

a. The act or an instance of lapping.

b. The amount taken in by lapping.

2. The sound of lapping.

3. A watery food or drink.

Phrasal Verb:

lap up

To receive eagerly or greedily: lapping up praise.

[Middle English lapen, from Old English lapian.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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