rap
1 (răp)
[Middle English rappen, possibly of imitative origin.]
verb: rapped, rap·ping, raps.
transitive verb
- To hit sharply and swiftly; strike: rapped the table with his fist.
- To utter sharply: rap out a complaint.
- To criticize or blame.
intransitive verb
- To strike a quick light blow: rapped on the door.
noun
- A quick light blow or knock.
- A knocking or tapping sound.
- Slang
- A reprimand.
- A sentence to serve time in prison.
- Slang A negative quality or characteristic associated with a person or an object.
idioms
- beat the rap
- To escape punishment or be acquitted of a charge.
- take the rap
- To accept punishment or take the blame for an offense or error.
rap
2 (răp)
[Back-formation from rapt.]
transitive verb: rapt or rapped (răpt), rap·ping, raps.
Archaic- To enchant or seize with rapture.
- To snatch.
rap
3 (răp)
[From obsolete rap, 18th-century Irish counterfeit halfpenny, from Irish Gaelic, alteration (possibly influenced by rap, piece, bit), of ropaire, cutthroat; see rapparee.]
noun
Informal- The least bit: I don't give a rap about office politics. I don't care a rap what you do.
rap
4 (răp)
[Possibly from rap1.]
noun
- Slang A talk, conversation, or discussion.
- A form of popular music developed especially in African-American urban communities and characterized by spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics with a strong rhythmic accompaniment.
- A composition or performance of such music.
intransitive verb: rapped, rap·ping, raps.
- Slang To discuss freely and at length.
- To perform rap music.
