rap

¹

[rap]

verb (used with object)

rapped, rapping 

1. to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow.

   He rapped the door with his cane.

2. to utter sharply or vigorously.

   to rap out a command.

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

4. Slang.,  to criticize sharply.

   Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.

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

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

verb (used without object)

rapped, rapping 

1. to knock smartly or lightly, especially so as to make a noise.

   to rap on a door.

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

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

noun

1. a quick, smart, or light blow.

   a rap on the knuckles with a ruler.

2. the sound produced by such a blow.

   They heard a loud rap at the door.

3. Slang.,  blame or punishment, especially for a crime.

4. Slang.,  a criminal charge.

   a murder rap.

5. Slang.,  response, reception, or judgment.

   The product has been getting a very bad rap.

6. Slang.

   1. a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.

   2. talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel.

      a high-pressure sales rap.

7. rap music.

rap

²

[rap]

noun

1. the least bit; the smallest amount; jot; iota.

   I don't care a rap.

2. a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

rap

³

[rap]

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

rapped, rapt, rapping. 

1. to carry off; transport.

2. to transport with rapture.

3. to seize for oneself; snatch.

rap

¹

/ ræp /

verb

1. to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knock

   he rapped at the door

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

3. (tr) to rebuke or criticize sharply

4. to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashion

   to rap out orders

5. slang,  (intr) to talk, esp volubly

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

7. to reprimand

noun

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

2. a sharp rebuke or criticism

3. slang,  voluble talk; chatter

   stop your rap

4. 1. a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track

   2. ( as modifier )

      rap music

5. slang,  a legal charge or case

6. slang,  to escape punishment or be acquitted of a crime

7. slang,  to suffer the consequences of a mistake, misdeed, or crime, whether guilty or not

rap

²

/ ræp /

noun

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

rap

³

/ ræp /

verb

1. informal,  a variant spelling of wrap wrap

rap

1. 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.)

Other Word Forms

• rapping noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rap¹

First recorded in 1300–50; 1960–65 rap ¹ for def. 8; Middle English verb rappen; akin to Swedish rappa “to beat, drub,” German rappeln “to rattle”; the senses “to talk” and “conversation, talk” are perhaps of distinct origin, though the hypothesis that these meanings are a shortening of repartee is questionable

Origin of rap²

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Origin of rap³

First recorded in 1520–30; back formation from rapt

Word History and Origins

Origin of rap¹

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

Origin of rap²

C18: probably from ropaire counterfeit coin formerly current in Ireland

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take the rap, to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another.

   He took the rap for the burglary.

2. beat the rap, to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted.

   The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.

More idioms and phrases containing rap

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, as Combs prepares for time behind bars, 50 Cent is making it abundantly clear he’s going to make the most out of his rap foe’s sentence.

From Los Angeles Times

Convicted rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has written a letter to the judge overseeing his criminal trial, asking for leniency during his sentencing on Friday and blaming his past behaviour on drug addiction.

From BBC

“I need the reps, I need to know that I can do this no matter what. Similar to someone who’s freestyle rapping — if you don’t use that muscle you’re gonna lose it.”

From Los Angeles Times

A U.K. judge has thrown out a terror charge against a member of the rap group Kneecap.

From Los Angeles Times

The American pit bull terriers are strong, faithful companions who’ve gotten a bad rap.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• knock 
• scold