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lap1
- 1) noun, the area formed by the upper surface of the thighs of a seated person
- 2) noun, Also called: lapful the amount held in one's lap
- 3) noun, a protected place or environment
- 4) noun, any of various hollow or depressed areas, such as a hollow in the land
- 5) noun, the part of one's clothing that covers the lap
- 6) noun, drop in someone's lap give someone the responsibility of
- 7) noun, in the lap of the gods beyond human control and power
Etymology
Old English læppa flap; see lobe, lappet, lop2
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
lap2
- 1) noun, one circuit of a racecourse or track
- 2) noun, a stage or part of a journey, race, etc
- 3) noun, a) an overlapping part or projection b) the extent of overlap
- 4) noun, the length of material needed to go around an object
- 5) noun, a rotating disc coated with fine abrasive for polishing gemstones
- 6) noun, any device for holding a fine abrasive to polish materials
- 7) noun, metallurgy a defect in rolled metals caused by the folding of a fin onto the surface
- 8) noun, a sheet or band of fibres, such as cotton, prepared for further processing
- 9) verb, to wrap or fold (around or over)
- 10) verb, to enclose or envelop in
- 11) verb, to place or lie partly or completely over or project beyond
- 12) verb, to envelop or surround with comfort, love, etc
- 13) verb, to be folded
- 14) verb, to overtake (an opponent) in a race so as to be one or more circuits ahead
- 15) verb, to polish or cut (a workpiece, gemstone, etc) with a fine abrasive, esp to hone (mating metal parts) against each other with an abrasive
- 16) verb, to form (fibres) into a sheet or band
Etymology
C13 (in the sense: to wrap): probably from lap1
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
lap3
- 1) verb, (of small waves) to wash against (a shore, boat, etc), usually with light splashing sounds
- 2) verb, (esp of animals) to scoop (a liquid) into the mouth with the tongue
- 3) noun, the act or sound of lapping
- 4) noun, a thin food for dogs or other animals ▷ See also lap up
Etymology
Old English lapian; related to Old High German laffan, Latin lambere, Greek laptein
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
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Synonyms
circuit, course, round, tour, leg, distance, stretch, circle, orbit, loop, ripple, wash, splash, slap, swish, gurgle, slosh, purl, plash, drink, sip, lick, swallow, gulp, sup, relish, like, enjoy, appreciate, savour