English Meaning & Definitions
The fluid that circulates through the vascular system of a plant, consisting chiefly of water with dissolved sugars and mineral salts.
- “Maple syrup is made by boiling down the sweet sap collected from sugar maple trees in early spring.”
- “The broken stem of the plant oozed a sticky, milky sap.”
To gradually weaken or destroy a person's strength, energy, or resources.
- “Working long hours in the hot sun began to sap his energy.”
- “The prolonged illness completely sapped her strength.”
A silly, foolish, or gullible person.
- “He felt like such a sap for believing their obvious scam.”
- “Don't be a sap—stand up for yourself.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “sap”.
Old English 'sæpe', meaning juice or liquid, of Germanic origin. The verb meaning 'to drain or weaken' developed in the 17th century, influenced by the military term 'sap' (from Old French 'sappe', meaning a trench or mine). The slang noun meaning a foolish person is an abbreviation of 'saphead', dating back to the early 19th century.
Imagine a tiny insect drinking the watery 'sap' out of a plant's stem, gradually draining its strength away (to sap).
Frequently Asked Questions About “sap”
1. What is the meaning of “sap” in English?
In English, sap (noun) is defined as: “The fluid that circulates through the vascular system of a plant, consisting chiefly of water with dissolved sugars and mineral salts.”.
2. How do you use “sap” in a sentence?
“Maple syrup is made by boiling down the sweet sap collected from sugar maple trees in early spring.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “sap”?
Old English 'sæpe', meaning juice or liquid, of Germanic origin. The verb meaning 'to drain or weaken' developed in the 17th century, influenced by the military term 'sap' (from Old French 'sappe', meaning a trench or mine). The slang noun meaning a foolish person is an abbreviation of 'saphead', dating back to the early 19th century.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.