nap
1[ nap ]
/ næp /
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
1before 900; Middle English nappen (v.), nap (noun), Old English hnappian to sleep; cognate with Middle High German napfen
Definition for napping (2 of 2)
nap
2[ nap ]
/ næp /
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
21400–50; late Middle English noppe, Old English -hnoppa (as in wullknoppa, mistake for *wullhnoppa tuft of wool), cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German noppe; akin to Old English hnoppian to pluck
Related formsnap·less, adjectivenap·less·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for napping
British Dictionary definitions for napping (1 of 3)
nap
1/ (næp) /
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 napping (2 of 3)
nap
2/ (næp) /
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 napping (3 of 3)
nap
3/ (næp) /
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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with napping
napping
see catch napping.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.