Tap - English meaning

verb

Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.

Usage examples:

If we were caught we were beaten

noun

A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.

Usage examples:

The glissando begins on the second beat

adjective

Short for beatnik.

verb

Lose blood from the body as a result of injury or illness.

Usage examples:

The cut was bleeding steadily

noun

An instance of bleeding.

Usage examples:

A lot of blood was lost from the placental bleed

verb

To lose blood

Usage examples:

Your arm is bleeding., he was bleeding heavily.

verb

Raise (a difficult subject) for discussion.

Usage examples:

He broached the subject he had been avoiding all evening

noun

A sudden and unwelcome veering of a ship that causes it to broach.

Usage examples:

The helmsman was forced to use the engines in conjunction with the wheel to prevent a broach

verb

To begin a discussion of something difficult

Usage examples:

He hopes they will sponsor the poetry event, but he hasn’t broached the subject with them yet.

noun

A harmful microorganism, typically a bacterium.

Usage examples:

Their ham was found to be contaminated with food bugs

verb

Conceal a miniature microphone in (a room or device) in order to listen to or record someone's conversations secretly.

Usage examples:

Their offices, homes, and telephones were bugged

noun

A male bird, especially of a domestic fowl.

Usage examples:

Pheasants are handsome birds, especially the cocks, which are larger than the hens.

verb

Tilt (something) in a particular direction.

Usage examples:

She cocked her head slightly to one side

verb

Pile (hay or other material) into cocks.

Usage examples:

It does not rake the grass into rows, nor cock it

verb

Break up and move earth with a tool or machine, or with hands, paws, snout, etc.

Usage examples:

The boar had been digging for roots

noun

An act or spell of digging.

Usage examples:

A thorough dig of the whole plot

verb

Turn up, loosen, or remove earth

verb

Cause the water or other liquid in (something) to run out, leaving it empty or dry.

Usage examples:

We drained the swimming pool

noun

A channel or pipe carrying off surplus liquid, especially rainwater or liquid waste.

Usage examples:

The room's toilet pipes and shower drains carry this waste to a holding tank.

verb

Emptying something by allowing liquid to run out of it

noun

A percussion instrument sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, typically cylindrical, barrel-shaped, or bowl-shaped, with a taut membrane over one or both ends.

Usage examples:

A shuffling dance to the beat of a drum

verb

Play on a drum or drums.

Usage examples:

He channelled his energies into drumming with local groups

noun

A long, narrow hill, especially one separating two parallel valleys.

noun

The action of playing a drum or drums.

Usage examples:

He took up drumming in his teens

verb

Play on a drum or drums.

Usage examples:

He channelled his energies into drumming with local groups

noun

A musical instrument, usually with a skin stretched over the end of a hollow tube or bowl, played by hitting with the hand or a stick

Usage examples:

An oil drum, the rain drummed on the tin roof.

verb

Make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource).

Usage examples:

500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology

noun

A bold or daring feat.

Usage examples:

Despite a series of colourful exploits, his agents obtained little intelligence of value

noun

A brave, interesting, or unusual act

Usage examples:

Daredevil exploits, he is not content to limit himself to his exploits on the basketball court., th…

noun

A tap.

Usage examples:

The 2 main faucet types most commonly used are compression faucets and mixing faucets.

noun

A device that controls the flow of liquid, especially water, from a pipe

Usage examples:

How fast does water flow out of your kitchen faucet?, the hot/cold faucet, turn on/off the faucet t…

noun

Something that allows a supply of something such as money, information, or people to flow

Usage examples:

The tide turned in the investigation when one gang member became an informant, and once somebody op…

verb

Bring one's hand or a tool or weapon into contact with (someone or something) quickly and forcefully.

Usage examples:

The woman hit the mugger with her umbrella

noun

An instance of striking or being struck.

Usage examples:

Few structures can withstand a hit from a speeding car

verb

Deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument

verb

Poke roughly or quickly, especially with something sharp or pointed.

Usage examples:

She jabbed him in his ribs

noun

A quick, sharp blow, especially with the fist.

Usage examples:

A jab in the stomach

verb

Poke or thrust abruptly

verb

Strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door.

Usage examples:

He strolled over and knocked on a door marked enquiries

noun

A sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry.

Usage examples:

There was a sudden knock at the door, the noise seemingly unnatural and loud in the silence that i …

verb

To repeatedly hit something, producing a noise

Usage examples:

Someone is knocking at the door., jane knocked on the window to attract his attention., alice accid…

verb

Strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door.

Usage examples:

He strolled over and knocked on a door marked enquiries

noun

A sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry.

Usage examples:

There was a sudden knock at the door, the noise seemingly unnatural and loud in the silence that i …

noun

A blow or collision.

Usage examples:

The casing is tough enough to withstand knocks

verb

To put something into your service for a purpose

Usage examples:

Do you know how to use a computer?, we could use your help., she uses so many big words, it’s hard …

phrase

To use something that is available

Usage examples:

We might as well make use of the hotel's facilities., we must make use of every weapon we have in t…

noun

An opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young.

Usage examples:

A healthy mother will produce enough milk for her baby

verb

Draw milk from (a cow or other animal), either by hand or mechanically.

Usage examples:

Two hours later he was up again to milk the cows

noun

The white liquid produced esp. by cows which people drink

Usage examples:

Cookies and milk, breast milk is the best nourishment for a baby., coconut milk, the newspapers mil…

noun

An excavation in the earth for extracting coal or other minerals.

Usage examples:

A copper mine

verb

Obtain (coal or other minerals) from a mine.

Usage examples:

The company came to the area to mine phosphate

possessive pronoun

Used to refer to a thing or things belonging to or associated with the speaker.

Usage examples:

You go your way and i'll go mine

noun

A device used for observing, checking, or keeping a continuous record of something.

Usage examples:

A heart monitor

verb

Observe and check the progress or quality of (something) over a period of time; keep under systematic review.

Usage examples:

Equipment was installed to monitor air quality

verb

Someone who observes to ensure fairness or prevent mistakes

verb

Prod (someone) gently with one's elbow in order to attract attention.

Usage examples:

People were nudging each other and pointing at me

noun

A light touch or push.

Usage examples:

He gave her shoulder a nudge

verb

To push someone or something gently, sometimes to get someone’s attention

Usage examples:

My wife nudged me to tell me to get off the phone so that she could use it., i gave him a nudge to …

adjective

Allowing access, passage, or a view through an empty space; not closed or blocked.

Usage examples:

He climbed through the open window

verb

Move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision.

Usage examples:

She opened the door and went in

noun

Make or become formally ready for customers, visitors, or business.

Usage examples:

She raised $731 by opening her home and selling coffee and tea

verb

Hear (someone or something) without meaning to or without the knowledge of the speaker.

Usage examples:

I couldn't help overhearing your conversation

verb

To hear what other people are saying unintentionally and without their knowledge

Usage examples:

[ t ] i overheard a funny conversation on the bus this morning., [ i ] they were so loud, i couldn’…

verb

Touch quickly and gently with the flat of the hand.

Usage examples:

He patted him consolingly on the shoulder

noun

A quick, light touch with the hand.

Usage examples:

Giving him a friendly pat on the arm, she went off to join the others

adjective

Simple and somewhat glib or unconvincing.

Usage examples:

There are no pat answers to these questions

verb

Make a repeated light tapping sound.

Usage examples:

A flurry of rain pattered against the window

noun

A repeated light tapping.

Usage examples:

The plashing patter of steady rain

verb

Talk at length without saying anything significant.

Usage examples:

She pattered on incessantly

verb

Make a repeated light tapping sound.

Usage examples:

A flurry of rain pattered against the window

verb

Talk at length without saying anything significant.

Usage examples:

She pattered on incessantly

noun

A repeated light tapping.

Usage examples:

The plashing patter of steady rain

verb

(of a bird) strike or bite something with its beak.

Usage examples:

Two geese were pecking at some grain

noun

A stroke or bite by a bird with its beak.

Usage examples:

The bird managed to give its attacker a sharp peck

noun

A measure of capacity for dry goods, equal to a quarter of a bushel (2 imperial gallons = 9.092 litres, or 8 us quarts = 8.81 l).

Usage examples:

America is now the last major power to retain feet and gallons and bushels and pecks.

verb

(of a sharp pointed object) go into or through (something).

Usage examples:

A splinter had pierced the skin

verb

To go in or through something, esp. with a pointed object, making a hole

Usage examples:

Pierce the potatoes with a fork to see if they’re done., she got her ears pierced.

verb

Jab or prod (someone or something) with one's finger or a sharp object.

Usage examples:

He poked benny in the ribs and pointed

noun

An act of poking someone or something.

Usage examples:

She gave the fire a poke

noun

A bag or small sack.

Usage examples:

He fished out a poke of crisps from under the counter

noun

Continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.

Usage examples:

The gate was buckling under the pressure of the crowd outside

verb

Attempt to persuade or coerce (someone) into doing something.

Usage examples:

It might be possible to pressure him into resigning

noun

A small hole in a tyre resulting in an escape of air.

Usage examples:

She was on her way home when she had a puncture

verb

Make a puncture in (something).

Usage examples:

One of the knife blows had punctured a lung

noun

A small hole made by a sharp object

verb

Strike (a hard surface) with a series of rapid audible blows, especially in order to attract attention.

Usage examples:

He stood up and rapped the table

noun

A quick, sharp knock or blow.

Usage examples:

There was a confident rap at the door

noun

The smallest amount (used for emphasis).

Usage examples:

He doesn't care a rap whether it's true or not

verb

Strike (a hard surface) with a series of rapid audible blows, especially in order to attract attention.

Usage examples:

He stood up and rapped the table

noun

A quick, sharp knock or blow.

Usage examples:

There was a confident rap at the door

noun

A type of popular music of us black origin in which words are recited rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing.

Usage examples:

The label specializes in rap and modern soul

noun

The part of a telephone apparatus contained in the earpiece, in which electrical signals are converted into sounds.

Usage examples:

Working independently, gray and bell both developed systems based on electromagnetic receivers with…

verb

Push (someone or something) roughly.

Usage examples:

They started pushing and shoving people out of the way

noun

A strong push.

Usage examples:

She gave him a hefty shove and he nearly fell

verb

Come into rough contact with while moving

noun

A small peg or plug, especially for insertion into the vent of a cask.

Usage examples:

The spigot stem had an annular cutting edge to cut a cylindrical plug out of the bung or stopper by…

noun

A device used to control a flow of liquid, esp. from a container or pipe

Usage examples:

Fig. when an industry decides to lobby congress, the money spigot is always open.

noun

A small wooden peg or spigot for stopping a cask.

Usage examples:

Before beginning, sterilize both the spile and the jug with boiling water.

verb

Broach (a cask) with a peg in order to draw off liquid.

Usage examples:

Well, firstly i'm still adamant that you can't beat a pint of cask-conditioned ale, properly tapped…

noun

A small piece of wood that is used to control the amount of gas in a barrel (= large container) of beer

Usage examples:

A small wooden peg called a spile is knocked into the top of the barrel., when fermentation starts …

noun

A tube or lip projecting from a container, through which liquid can be poured.

Usage examples:

A teapot with a chipped spout

verb

Send out (liquid) forcibly in a stream.

Usage examples:

Volcanoes spouted ash and lava

verb

To send out liquid or flames quickly and with force, or of liquid or flame to flow quickly

Usage examples:

[ t ] the volcano spouted flames and red-hot rocks., [ t ] the man was spouting nonsense about peop…

noun

An externally operated valve regulating the flow of a liquid or gas through a pipe, in particular one on the water main supplying a house.

Usage examples:

In many houses, the main stopcock is situated under the kitchen sink

noun

A valve in a pipe that controls the flow of liquid through it

verb

Hit forcibly and deliberately with one's hand or a weapon or other implement.

Usage examples:

He raised his hand, as if to strike me

noun

A refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer.

Usage examples:

Dockers voted for an all-out strike

verb

Deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

noun

The action of striking against something with a quick light blow or blows, or a sound made in this way.

Usage examples:

Crews heard tapping from deep underground

noun

An electrical connection made to some point between the end terminals of a transformer coil or other component.

verb

A device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled.

Usage examples:

She turned the cold tap on

verb

Come into or be in contact with.

Usage examples:

He leaned back so that only two legs of his chair touched the floor

noun

An act of touching someone or something.

Usage examples:

Her touch on his shoulder was hesitant

verb

Make physical contact with, come in contact with

idiom

To use your skills and abilities to produce good results

Usage examples:

I think we'd all agree that you turned your negotiating skills to very good account in this afterno…

verb

Take, hold, or deploy (something) as a means of accomplishing or achieving something; employ.

Usage examples:

She used her key to open the front door

noun

The action of using something or the state of being used for a purpose.

Usage examples:

Modern trains are now in use

Put into service

verb

Make practical and effective use of.

Usage examples:

Vitamin c helps your body utilize the iron present in your diet

Put into service

verb

To make use of something

Usage examples:

The library’s great collection allowed me to utilize many rare sources.

noun

A device for controlling the passage of fluid or air through a pipe, duct, etc., especially an automatic device allowing movement in one direction only.

Usage examples:

A valve shuts off the flow from the boiler when the water is hot enough

noun

A device that controls the flow of air or liquid from one place to another

Usage examples:

A heart valve, the explosion apparently was caused by a faulty gas valve.

noun

Metal drawn out into the form of a thin flexible thread or rod.

Usage examples:

A coil of copper wire

verb

Install electric circuits or wires in.

Usage examples:

Wiring a plug

noun

An act of using a listening device to conduct surveillance, typically over a phone line.

Usage examples:

Illegal wiretaps of leading politicians

verb

Use a listening device to conduct surveillance on.

Usage examples:

He illegally wiretapped people who were in disputes with his clients

verb

To secretly listen to people by connecting a listening device to their telephone, or to attach a listening device to a telephone for this purpose

Usage examples:

[ t ] the court gave permission to have his phone wiretapped to gather evidence., the government pu…