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strapping1

[strap-ing]
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adjective
  1. powerfully built; robust.
  2. large; whopping.
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Origin of strapping1

First recorded in 1650–60; strap + -ing2

strapping2

[strap-ing]
noun
  1. straps collectively.
  2. material used to make a strap or straps: manufacturers of plastic strapping.
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Origin of strapping2

First recorded in 1800–10; strap + -ing1

strap

[strap]
noun
  1. a narrow strip of flexible material, especially leather, as for fastening or holding things together.
  2. 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.
  3. a strop for a razor.
  4. a long, narrow object or piece of something; strip; band.
  5. an ornamental strip or band.
  6. shoulder strap.
  7. watchband.
  8. Machinery. a shallow metal fitting surrounding and retaining other parts, as on the end of a rod.
  9. Nautical, Machinery. strop(def 2).
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verb (used with object), strapped, strap·ping.
  1. to fasten or secure with a strap or straps.
  2. to fasten (a thing) around something in the manner of a strap.
  3. to sharpen on a strap or strop: to strap a razor.
  4. to beat or flog with a strap.
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Origin of strap

First recorded in 1565–75; variant of strop
Related formsstrap·pa·ble, adjectivestrap·like, adjectivere·strap, verb (used with object), re·strapped, re·strap·ping.un·der·strap, nounun·der·strap, verb (used with object), un·der·strapped, un·der·strap·ping.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

hulkingburlysturdyhulkbrawnyheftyhunkhuskypowerfulrobuststalwartstouttallvigorousoxpowerhousewell-built

Examples from the Web for strapping

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • A fine, strapping trio they were, splendidly horsed and admirably equipped.

  • Mason paused halfway in the act of strapping on his packsack.

    The Long Voyage

    Carl Richard Jacobi

  • Then there's Romulus and Remus, the twins, strapping young fellows.

    The Trail of '98

    Robert W. Service

  • "Good-bye," said Ralph, who was just then strapping his books together for school.

    Grandmother Dear

    Mrs. Molesworth

  • You're as fine, strapping a specimen of a healthy human being as I've ever seen.'

    Circus

    Alan Edward Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for strapping

strapping

adjective
  1. (prenominal) tall and sturdy
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Word Origin

C17: from strap (in the archaic sense: to work vigorously)

strap

noun
  1. a long strip of leather or similar material, for binding trunks, baggage, or other objects
  2. a strip of leather or similar material used for carrying, lifting, or holding
  3. a loop of leather, rubber, etc, suspended from the roof in a bus or train for standing passengers to hold on to
  4. a razor strop
  5. 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)
  6. Irish derogatory, slang a shameless or promiscuous woman
  7. the strap a beating with a strap as a punishment
  8. short for shoulder strap
  9. hit one's straps Australian informal to achieve one's full potential or become fully effective
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verb straps, strapping or strapped (tr)
  1. to tie or bind with a strap
  2. to beat with a strap
  3. 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 strapping

adj.

"tall and sturdy," originally applied to women, 1650s, from present participle of strap (v.). Cf. similar senses of whopping, spanking.

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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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strap

v.

"to fasten or secure with a strap," 1711, from strap (n.). Slang adjective strapped "short of money" is from 1857, from strap (n.) in a now-obsolete sense of "financial credit" (1828). Related: Strapped; strapping.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
strapping in Medicine

strap

(străp)
n.
  1. A strip or piece of adhesive plaster.
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v.
  1. 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.