knap

¹

[ nap ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. a crest or summit of a small hill.

knap

²

[ nap ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Chiefly British Dialect.

, knapped, knap·ping.

1. to strike smartly; rap.
2. to break off abruptly.
3. to chip or become chipped, as a flint or stone.
4. to bite suddenly or quickly.

knap

¹

/ næp /

verb

1. dialect.
   tr to hit, hammer, or chip

knap

²

/ næp /

noun

1. dialect.
   the crest of a hill

Derived Forms

• ˈknapper, noun

Other Words From

• knapper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of knap¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cnæpp top, summit; cognate with Old Norse knappr knob

Origin of knap²

First recorded in 1425–75; Late Middle English; cognate with Dutch knapen “to crack”; imitative of the sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of knap¹

C15 (in the sense: to strike with a sharp sound): of imitative origin; compare Dutch knappen to crack

Origin of knap²

Old English cnæpp top; compare Old Norse knappr knob

Example Sentences

He departed for the Holy Land, his pouch as empty as his belly, his knap-sack as hollow as his cheeks.

From Project Gutenberg

From the donkey's pack-saddle hung a knap-sack, together with a large pouch of water.

From Project Gutenberg

Knap was quite young in those days, an excitable fellow with a sharp nose that gave him an air of self-importance.

From Project Gutenberg

She reached the wicket at Mistover Knap, but before opening it she turned and faced the heath once more.

From Project Gutenberg

The sellers of herbs … shall stand from Knap Hall towards Quatervois.

From Project Gutenberg