tapping

¹ American  

[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that taps tap taps or strikes lightly.

2. the sound produced by this.

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tapping ² American  

[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of tapping casks, telephone conversations, etc.

2. something that is drawn by tapping.

3. paracentesis.

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Etymology

Origin of tapping¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; tap ¹, -ing ¹

Origin of tapping²

First recorded in 1590–1600; tap ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Now, many pharmacies can’t keep them in stock, and women are scouring pharmacies—and tapping their personal networks—to track them down.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Amazon, increased capex levels could push its free cash flow into negative territory this year, meaning that it would need to start tapping the debt markets to raise more capital.

From MarketWatch

Her husband, Joseph Hougebe, remembers whistling into the night, eagerly waiting to hear a paddle tapping against the hull of a dugout canoe -- coded signals in the darkness.

From Barron's

Most of the time when Daddy says “Ida B,” it’s fast and it’s smiling and goes up and down real quick, like tapping your feet to some happy music.

From Literature

But he is worried the art of tapping will fade away, with the new generation unlikely to take it up.

From Barron's

Related Words

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