tapotement

American

[tuh-poht-ment] / təˈpoʊt mɛnt /

noun

the use of various light, quick chopping, slapping, or beating strokes on the body during massage.

Etymology

Origin of tapotement

1885–90; < French, equivalent to tapot ( er ) to tap, drum on, with the fingers or edge of the hand ( tap ( er ) to tap, strike (expressive v. akin to tap ¹ ) + -oter frequentative or attenuating suffix) + -ment -ment

Vocabulary lists containing tapotement

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023