chap
1[ chap ]
/ tʃæp /
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verb (used with object), chapped, chap·ping.
to crack, roughen, and redden (the skin): The windy, cold weather chapped her lips.
to cause (the ground, wood, etc.) to split, crack, or open in clefts: The summer heat and drought chapped the riverbank.
verb (used without object), chapped, chap·ping.
to become chapped.
noun
a fissure or crack, especially in the skin.
Scot. a knock; rap.
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Origin of chap
1First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chappen “(of a fruit) to split open, burst; (of skin) to crack, chap”; cognate with Dutch kappen “to cut”; akin to chip1
OTHER WORDS FROM chap
un·chapped, adjectiveOther definitions for chap (2 of 4)
chap2
[ chap ]
/ tʃæp /
noun
Chiefly British Informal: Older Use. a fellow; man or boy.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a baby or young child.
British Dialect. a customer.
Origin of chap
2First recorded in 1570–80; short for chapman
Other definitions for chap (3 of 4)
Origin of chap
3First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English chop, chappe “jaw, jawbone”; perhaps special use of chap1
Other definitions for chap (4 of 4)
chap.
or Chap.
abbreviation
Chaplain.
chapter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use chap in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for chap (1 of 4)
chap1
/ (tʃæp) /
verb chaps, chapping or chapped
(of the skin) to make or become raw and cracked, esp by exposure to cold
Scot (of a clock) to strike (the hour)
Scot to knock (at a door, window, etc)
noun
(usually plural) a cracked or sore patch on the skin caused by chapping
Scot a knock
Word Origin for chap
C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch, German kappen to chop off
British Dictionary definitions for chap (2 of 4)
chap2
/ (tʃæp) /
noun
informal a man or boy; fellow
Word Origin for chap
C16 (in the sense: buyer): shortened from chapman
British Dictionary definitions for chap (3 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for chap (4 of 4)
chap.
abbreviation for
chaplain
chapter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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