English Meaning & Definitions
The action of taking up liquid with the tongue, or the gentle, rhythmic splashing sound of water against a surface.
- “The cat's quiet lapping was the only sound in the kitchen.”
- “They fell asleep to the soothing lapping of the waves against the shore.”
Present participle of lap; drinking by scooping with the tongue, washing gently against something, or polishing a material to a very smooth finish.
- “The dog was lapping water from the stream after a long hike.”
- “The machinist spent hours lapping the metal components for a perfect seal.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “lapping”.
Derived from the verb 'lap' (to take up liquid with the tongue, or to wash gently against a surface), with roots in Old English 'lappian' (to lick) and Old German roots related to the sound and action of water. The mechanical sense (polishing) developed later from the noun 'lap' meaning a rotating wheel or surface used for grinding.
Picture a cute kitten lapping up milk with its tongue, making a gentle 'lap-lap' sound against the bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions About “lapping”
1. What is the meaning of “lapping” in English?
In English, lapping (noun) is defined as: “The action of taking up liquid with the tongue, or the gentle, rhythmic splashing sound of water against a surface.”.
2. How do you use “lapping” in a sentence?
“The cat's quiet lapping was the only sound in the kitchen.”
3. What are English synonyms of “lapping”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “lapping”?
Derived from the verb 'lap' (to take up liquid with the tongue, or to wash gently against a surface), with roots in Old English 'lappian' (to lick) and Old German roots related to the sound and action of water. The mechanical sense (polishing) developed later from the noun 'lap' meaning a rotating wheel or surface used for grinding.
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