rap

[rap]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rap ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), rapped, rap·ping.

to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow: He rapped the door with his cane.

to utter sharply or vigorously: to rap out a command.

(of a spirit summoned by a medium) to communicate (a message) by raps (often followed by out).

Slang. to criticize sharply: Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.

Slang. to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime.

Metallurgy. to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold.

verb (used without object), rapped, rap·ping.

to knock smartly or lightly, especially so as to make a noise: to rap on a door.

Slang. to talk or discuss, especially freely, openly, or volubly; chat.

Slang. to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music.

noun

a quick, smart, or light blow: a rap on the knuckles with a ruler.

the sound produced by such a blow: They heard a loud rap at the door.

Slang. blame or punishment, especially for a crime.

Slang. a criminal charge: a murder rap.

Slang. response, reception, or judgment: The product has been getting a very bad rap.

Slang.

a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.
talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel: a high-pressure sales rap.

rap music.

Idioms

beat the rap, Slang. to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted: The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.

take the rap, Slang. to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another: He took the rap for the burglary.

Origin of rap

1300–50; 1960–65 for def 8; Middle English rappen (v.), rap(p)e (noun); akin to Swedish rappa to beat, drub, German rappeln to rattle; senses “to talk,” “conversation, talk” perhaps of distinct orig., though the hypothesis that it is a shortening of repartee is questionable

Can be confusedrap wraprapped rapt wrapped

rap

[rap]

noun

the least bit: I don't care a rap.

a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

Origin of rap

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

rap

[rap]

verb (used with object), rapped or rapt, rap·ping. Archaic.

to carry off; transport.

to transport with rapture.

to seize for oneself; snatch.

Origin of rap

First recorded in 1520–30; back formation from rapt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for rap

knock, scold, blow, lick, tap, beat, swipe, swat, crack, strike, pat, conk, whack, conference, dialogue, confabulation, deliberation, discussion, yarn, discourse

Examples from the Web for rap

Contemporary Examples of rap

And there are those who still have misgivings about exactly what “Christian rap” means.
Down With the King: Christianity Isn’t Hiding in Rap’s Closet
Stereo Williams
December 28, 2014
They joined forces to form the rap supergroup Run the Jewels.
The 10 Best Albums of 2014: Taylor Swift, Sia, Run the Jewels, and More
Marlow Stern
December 28, 2014
If Kendrick Lamar is the future of rap, then the future is bright.
Kendrick Lamar Shuts Down ‘The Colbert Report’ with Untitled Track
Charlise Ferguson
December 17, 2014
This cd be the kind of thing where somebody has to resign [and] take the rap.
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations
Malcolm Byrne
November 3, 2014
Is the art of the Nicki Minaj-style rap something you knew ahead of time that you were a baller at?
How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Star
Kevin Fallon
October 31, 2014

Historical Examples of rap

I had to rap a second time before Molly Wemple appeared to let me in.
In the Valley
Harold Frederic
Another spends all he can rap and run on his belly, to be the more hungry after it.
The Praise of Folly
Desiderius Erasmus
It's been a bad year—worse than the last one, which wasn't worth a rap.
His Masterpiece
Emile Zola
There are some consecrated reputations which I wouldn't give a rap for.
His Masterpiece
Emile Zola
Gervaise now shuffled along in her slippers, without caring a rap for anyone.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for rap

rap

verb raps, rapping or rapped

to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knockhe rapped at the door

(intr) to make a sharp loud sound, esp by knocking

(tr) to rebuke or criticize sharply

(tr foll by out) to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashionto rap out orders

(intr) slang to talk, esp volubly

(intr) to perform a rhythmic monologue with a musical backing

rap over the knuckles to reprimand

noun

a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow

a sharp rebuke or criticism

slang voluble talk; chatterstop your rap

a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track
(as modifier)rap music

slang a legal charge or case

beat the rap US and Canadian slang to escape punishment or be acquitted of a crime

take the rap slang to suffer the consequences of a mistake, misdeed, or crime, whether guilty or not

Derived Formsrapping, noun

Word Origin for rap

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish rappa to beat

rap

noun

(used with a negative) the least amount (esp in the phrase not to care a rap)

Word Origin for rap

C18: probably from ropaire counterfeit coin formerly current in Ireland

rap

verb, noun

Australian informal a variant spelling of wrap (def. 8), wrap (def. 14)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rap

c.1300, "a quick, light blow, stroke," also "a fart" (late 15c.), native or borrowed from a Scandinavian source (cf. Danish rap, Swedish rapp "light blow"); either way probably of imitative origin (cf. slap, clap).

Slang meaning "rebuke, blame, responsibility" is from 1777; specific meaning "criminal indictment" (cf. rap sheet, 1960) is from 1903. To beat the rap is from 1927. Meaning "music with improvised words" first in New York City slang, 1979 (see rap (v.2)).

v.1

mid-14c., "strike, smite, knock," from rap (n.). Related: Rapped; rapping. To rap (someone's) knuckles "give light punishment" is from 1749. Related: Rapped; rapping.

v.2

"talk informally, chat," 1929, popularized c.1965 in Black English, possibly first in Caribbean English and from British slang meaning "say, utter" (1879), originally "to utter a sudden oath" (1540s), ultimately from rap (n.). As a noun in this sense from 1898. Meaning "to perform rap music" is recorded by 1979. Related: Rapped; rapping.

rap in Culture

rap

A form of pop music characterized by spoken or chanted rhymed lyrics, with a syncopated, repetitive accompaniment. Rap music originated in the second half of the twentieth century in black urban communities. (See also hip-hop.)

Idioms and Phrases with rap

rap

In addition to the idiom beginning with rap

rap someone's knuckles

also see:

beat the rap
bum rap
not give a damn (rap)
take the rap