taps (t ps)pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A bugle call or drum signal sounded at night, as at a military camp, as an order to put out lights and also sounded at military funerals and memorial services. [Perhaps alteration of taptoo, tattoo, variant of tattoo.] |
taps [tæps]
n (functioning as singular)
1. (Military) Chiefly US
a. (in army camps, etc.) a signal given on a bugle, drum, etc., indicating that lights are to be put out
b. any similar signal, as at a military funeral
2. (Non-sporting Hobbies / Other Non-sporting Hobbies) (in the Guide movement) a closing song sung at an evening camp fire or at the end of a meeting
[from tap1]
taps, last post - Taps, the bugle call for lights out, was originally a drum roll and got its name from the tapping of the drums; taps are also called last post.
See also related terms for lights.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  taps - (military) signal to turn the lights outbugle call - a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker" |
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