strap
[strap]
- a narrow strip of flexible material, especially leather, as for fastening or holding things together.
- a looped band by which an item may be held, pulled, lifted, etc., as a bootstrap or a ring that standing passengers may hold on to in a bus, subway, or the like.
- a strop for a razor.
- a long, narrow object or piece of something; strip; band.
- an ornamental strip or band.
- shoulder strap.
- watchband.
- Machinery. a shallow metal fitting surrounding and retaining other parts, as on the end of a rod.
- Nautical, Machinery. strop(def 2).
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- to fasten or secure with a strap or straps.
- to fasten (a thing) around something in the manner of a strap.
- to sharpen on a strap or strop: to strap a razor.
- to beat or flog with a strap.
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Origin of strap
First recorded in 1565–75; variant of strop
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for strap
Contemporary Examples
Once he hits eight, we can head on over to Bullets & Burgers, and who knows, maybe they'll let him strap on a bazooka.
So, they randomly select a poor villager and strap a bucket of rats against his chest.
Game of Thrones’ 8 Most Gruesome Deaths: From The Mountain’s Exploding Head Kill to Rat TortureMarlow Stern
June 4, 2014
Someone needs to strap a jet pack on Dr. Drew and send him up to unpack these daddy issues, ASAP.
Put on a scarf and mittens, dig out your car, get on your bike, strap on some skis, or head to the subway.
So, book those lift tickets, strap on your skis, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
Historical Examples
I don't know why, unless because of his one suspender, and then it ought to be Strap.
Gloria and Treeless StreetAnnie Hamilton Donnell
His wrist had caught in the strap handle of the trunk, and his shoulder was dislocated.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
“Sure,” he replied, dragging forth a bunch of metal discs on a strap.
The Law-BreakersRidgwell Cullum
Murphy fumbled with the strap, playing desperately for time.
Old Man CurryCharles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
A groove should be cut in the surface of the eccentric, so that this strap will not slip off.
Boys' Book of Model BoatsRaymond Francis Yates
strap
- a long strip of leather or similar material, for binding trunks, baggage, or other objects
- a strip of leather or similar material used for carrying, lifting, or holding
- a loop of leather, rubber, etc, suspended from the roof in a bus or train for standing passengers to hold on to
- a razor strop
- commerce a triple option on a security or commodity consisting of one put option and two call options at the same price and for the same periodCompare strip 2 (def. 5)
- Irish derogatory, slang a shameless or promiscuous woman
- the strap a beating with a strap as a punishment
- short for shoulder strap
- hit one's straps Australian informal to achieve one's full potential or become fully effective
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- to tie or bind with a strap
- to beat with a strap
- to sharpen with a strap or strop
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Word Origin
C16: variant of strop
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 strap
n.
1610s, from Scottish and/or nautical variant of strope "loop or strap on a harness" (mid-14c.), probably from Old French estrop "strap," from Latin stroppus "strap, band," perhaps from Etruscan, ultimately from Greek strophos "twisted band," from strephein "to turn" (see strophe). Old English stropp, Dutch strop "halter" also are borrowed from Latin.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
strap
(străp)- A strip or piece of adhesive plaster.
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- To support or bind a part, especially with overlapping strips of adhesive plaster.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.