slap ![](/application/resources/images/mini-speaker.png) (sl ăp)
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n.1. a. A sharp blow made with the open hand or with a flat object; a smack. b. The sound of such a blow. 2. A sharp insult: a slap to one's pride. v. slapped, slap·ping, slaps v.tr.1. To strike with the palm of the hand or a flat object: slapped him in the face. 2. To cause to strike forcefully and loudly: "He took a clipping from his wallet and slapped it on the bar" (Nathanael West). 3. To put or place quickly or carelessly: slapped butter on a bagel. 4. a. To subject to a legal obligation, such as a fine or court order: slapped him with a speeding ticket; slapped her with a lawsuit. b. To impose (a legal obligation) on someone: The judge slapped an additional fine on the unruly defendant. v.intr. To strike or beat with the force and sound of a slap: waves slapping against the raft. adv. Informal Directly and with force: drove slap into the guardrail. Phrasal Verb: slap down To restrain or correct by emphatic censure; rebuke: "thought [he] was getting a little uppity and needed to be slapped down" (New York Times). Idiom: slap on the wrist A nominal or token punishment.
[Middle English slappe.]
slapper n. |