pap

¹ American  

[pap] / pæp /

noun

1. soft food for infants or invalids, as bread soaked in water or milk.

2. an idea, talk, book, or the like, lacking substance or real value.

   Synonyms:

   twaddle, balderdash, drivel

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pap ² American  

[pap] / pæp /

noun

Chiefly Dialect.

1. a teat; nipple.

2. something resembling a teat or nipple.

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pap ¹ British  

/ pæp /

noun

1. dialect a nipple or teat

2. 1. something resembling a breast or nipple, such as (formerly) one of a pair of rounded hilltops

   2. ( capital as part of a name )

      the Pap of Glencoe

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pap ² British  

/ pæp /

noun

1. any soft or semiliquid food, such as bread softened with milk, esp for babies or invalids; mash

2. porridge made from maize

3. worthless or oversimplified ideas; drivel

   intellectual pap

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pap ³ British  

/ pæp /

verb

1. (of the paparazzi) to follow and photograph (a famous person)

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Other Word Forms

• paplike adjective

Etymology

Origin of pap¹

1400–50; late Middle English; a nursery word akin to Dutch pap, German Pappe, Latin, Italian pappa

Origin of pap²

1150–1200; Middle English pappe; compare dialectal Norwegian, Swedish pappe, Latin papilla ( papilla ), Lithuanian pãpas, all from a base *pap- ; akin to pap ¹

Example Sentences

There are adjustments clinicians can make to alleviate pain during pap smears, such as applying lube to the speculum, using a smaller one, or even allowing patients to insert the device themselves.

From Salon

The two have cheered each other on via their social media accounts, and strategically pap walked through multiple girls' nights out.

From Salon

Another plaintiff in the recent case, identified as Jane Doe #2, alleged that Lee became “visibly angry and hostile” when she refused to get a pap smear from him in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

The sport’s devotees even have a term for the mix: “border paps.”

From Seattle Times

“I knew paps were tipped off because the car I was in was never used before … so how was I followed ???” she asked at the time.

From Los Angeles Times