hap
1[ hap ]
/ hæp /
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noun
one's luck or lot.
an occurrence, happening, or accident.
verb (used without object), happed, hap·ping.
to happen: if it so hap.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of hap
1First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old Norse happ “luck, chance”; akin to Old English gehæp “fit, convenient”; probably akin to Old Church Slavonic kobŭ “auspice,” Old Irish cob “victory”
Other definitions for hap (2 of 3)
hap2
[ hap, ap ]
/ hæp, æp /
noun
a comforter or quilt.
verb (used with object)
to cover with or as with a comforter or quilt.
Origin of hap
21350–1400; Middle English happen to cover; perhaps blend of lappenlap2 and Old French happer to seize
Other definitions for hap (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use hap in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for hap (1 of 2)
hap1
/ (hæp) /
noun archaic
luck; chance
an occurrence
verb haps, happing or happed
(intr) an archaic word for happen
Word Origin for hap
C13: from Old Norse happ good luck; related to Old English gehæplic convenient, Old Slavonic kobǔ fate
British Dictionary definitions for hap (2 of 2)
hap2
/ (hæp) Scot and Eastern British dialect /
verb (tr)
to cover up; wrap up warmly
noun
a covering of any kind
Word Origin for hap
C14: perhaps of Norse origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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