tap

Definitions


[tap], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled
(e.g: she turned the cold tap on)

- a device connected to a telephone for listening secretly to someone's conversations
(e.g: those taps produced hundreds of hours of recordings)

- an instrument for cutting a threaded hole in a material

- a taproom


Phrases:
- on tap

Origin:
Old English tæppa ‘peg for the vent-hole of a cask’, tæppian ‘provide (a cask) with a stopper’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tap and German Zapfen (nouns)


[tap], (Verb)

Definitions:
- draw liquid through the tap or spout of (a cask, barrel, or other container)
(e.g: several barrels had been tapped to celebrate old victories)

- exploit or draw a supply from (a resource)
(e.g: clients from industry seeking to tap Edinburgh's resources of expertise)

- connect a device to (a telephone) so that conversation can be listened to secretly
(e.g: the telephones were tapped by the state security police)

- cut a thread in (something) to accept a screw
(e.g: on most vices, the metal jaws are drilled and tapped to accept screws)


Phrases:
- on tap

Origin:
Old English tæppa ‘peg for the vent-hole of a cask’, tæppian ‘provide (a cask) with a stopper’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tap and German Zapfen (nouns)


[tap], (Verb)

Definitions:
- strike with a quick light blow or blows
(e.g: one of my staff tapped me on the shoulder)

- designate or select (someone) for a task or honour, especially membership of an organization or committee
(e.g: he had been tapped earlier to serve in Costa Rica)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French taper, or of imitative origin; compare with clap and rap


[tap], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a quick light blow, or the sound of such a blow
(e.g: there was a sharp tap at the door)

- tap dancing
(e.g: a rhythm much used in tap)

- a bugle call for lights to be put out in army quarters
(e.g: the bugler played taps)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French taper, or of imitative origin; compare with clap and rap




definition by Oxford Dictionaries