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nap
1[ nap ]
/ nĂŠp /
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verb (used without object), napped, nap·ping.
to sleep for a short time; doze.
to be off one's guard: The question caught him napping.
verb (used with object), napped, nap·ping.
to sleep or doze through (a period of time, an activity, etc.) (usually followed by away): I napped the afternoon away. He naps away most of his classes.
noun
a brief period of sleep, especially one taken during daytime: Has the baby had her nap?
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Origin of nap
1First recorded before 900; Middle English verb nappen, Old English hnappian, hnĂŠppian âto sleep, slumber, dozeâ; cognate with Old High German (h)naffezen, Middle High German, German nafzen âto slumberâ
Words nearby nap
Other definitions for nap (2 of 4)
nap2
[ nap ]
/ nĂŠp /
noun
the short fuzzy ends of fibers on the surface of cloth, drawn up in napping.
any downy coating, as on plants.
verb (used with object), napped, nap·ping.
to raise a nap on.
Origin of nap
2First recorded in 1400â50; late Middle English noppe, nop(e); probably from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch, nop, noppe; possibly from Old English (wull)hnoppa â(wool) tuft, tuftâ
OTHER WORDS FROM nap
napless, adjectivenap·less·ness, nounOther definitions for nap (3 of 4)
Origin of nap
3First recorded in 1820â25; shortened form of napoleon
Other definitions for nap (4 of 4)
-nap
a combining form extracted from kidnap, with the general sense âabduct or steal in order to collect a ransomâ: artnap; petnap; starnap.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use nap in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for nap (1 of 3)
nap1
/ (nĂŠp) /
verb naps, napping or napped (intr)
to sleep for a short while; doze
to be unaware or inattentive; be off guard (esp in the phrase catch someone napping)
noun
a short light sleep; doze
Word Origin for nap
Old English hnappian; related to Middle High German napfen
British Dictionary definitions for nap (2 of 3)
nap2
/ (nĂŠp) /
noun
- the raised fibres of velvet or similar cloth
- the direction in which these fibres lie when smoothed down
any similar downy coating
Australian informal blankets, bedding
verb naps, napping or napped
(tr) to raise the nap of (cloth, esp velvet) by brushing or similar treatment
Word Origin for nap
C15: probably from Middle Dutch noppe; related to Old English hnoppian to pluck
British Dictionary definitions for nap (3 of 3)
nap3
/ (nĂŠp) /
noun
verb naps, napping or napped
(tr) horse racing to name (a horse) as likely to win a race
Word Origin for nap
C19: short for napoleon, the original name of the card game
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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