lap

lap¹ (l

a. The front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person.

b. The portion of a garment that covers the lap.

2. A hanging or flaplike part, especially of a garment.

3. An area of responsibility, interest, or control: an opportunity that dropped in his lap.

Idiom:

the lap of luxury

Conditions of great affluence or material comfort: an heiress living in the lap of luxury.

[Middle English lappe, lappet, lap, from Old English læppa, lappet.]

lapful n.

lap² (l

v. lapped, lap·ping, laps

v.tr.

a. To place or lay (something) so as to overlap another: lapped the roof tiles so that water would run off.

b. To lie partly over or on: each shingle lapping the next; shadows that lapped the wall.

2. To fold (something) over onto itself: a cloth edge that had been lapped and sewn to make a hem.

3. To wrap or wind around (something); encircle.

4. To envelop in something; swathe: models who were lapped in expensive furs.

5. To join (pieces, as of wood) by means of a scarf or lap joint.

6. Sports To get ahead of (an opponent) in a race by one or more complete circuits of the course, as in running, or by two or more lengths of pool in swimming.

7. To convert (cotton or other fibers) into a sheet or layer.

a. To polish (a surface) until smooth.

b. To hone (two mating parts) against each other until closely fitted.

v.intr.

1. To lie partly on or over something; overlap.

2. To form a lap or fold.

3. To wind around or enfold something.

a. A part that overlaps.

b. The amount by which one part overlaps another.

a. One complete round or circuit, especially of a racetrack.

b. One complete length of a straight course, as of a swimming pool.

3. A segment or stage, as of a trip.

a. A length, as of rope, required to make one complete turn around something.

b. The act of lapping or encircling.

5. A continuous band or layer of cotton, flax, or other fiber.

6. A wheel, disk, or slab of leather or metal, either stationary or rotating, used for polishing and smoothing.

[Middle English lappen, from lappe, lap, lappet; see lap¹.]

lap ¹

Noun

1. the area formed by the upper surface of the thighs of a seated person

2. a protected place or environment: in the lap of luxury

3. the part of a person's clothing that covers the lap

4. drop in someone's lap to give someone the responsibility of [Old English læppa flap]

lap ²

Noun

1. one circuit of a racecourse or track

2. a stage or part of a journey

a. an overlapping part

b. the extent of overlap

Verb

[lapping, lapped]

1. to overtake (an opponent) in a race so as to be one or more circuits ahead

2. to enfold or wrap around

3. to place or lie partly or completely over or project beyond: deep-pile carpet that lapped against his ankles

4. to envelop or surround with comfort, love, or peace: she was lapped by the luxury of Seymour House [probably same as lap¹]

lap ³

Verb

[lapping, lapped]

1. (of small waves) to wash against (the shore or a boat) with light splashing sounds

2. (often foll. by up)(esp. of animals) to scoop (a liquid) into the mouth with the tongue

Noun

the act or sound of lapping

See also lap up [Old English lapian]

Lap a bundle; the amount a thing overlaps.

Example: lap of beaver skins, 1673.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	lap - the upper side of the thighs of a seated person; "he picked up the little girl and plopped her down in his lap" thigh - the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
	2.	lap - an area of control or responsibility; "the job fell right in my lap" arena, domain, sphere, orbit, area, field - a particular environment or walk of life; "his social sphere is limited"; "it was a closed area of employment"; "he's out of my orbit" lap of the gods - beyond human control or responsibility; "there is nothing more I can do; it's in the lap of the gods now"
	3.	lap - the part of a piece of clothing that covers the thighs; "his lap was covered with food stains" lap covering cloth covering - a covering made of cloth skirt - cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist trouser, pant - (usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately; "he had a sharp crease in his trousers"
	4.	lap - a flap that lies over another part; "the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches" overlap cuff, turnup - the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg flap - any broad thin and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely; "he wrote on the flap of the envelope" lapel - lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar lappet - a small lap on a garment or headdress
	5.	lap - movement once around a course; "he drove an extra lap just for insurance" circle, circuit locomotion, travel - self-propelled movement pace lap - the first lap of a car race that prepares the cars for a fast start lap of honour, victory lap - a lap by the winning person or team run to celebrate the victory
	6.	lap - touching with the tongue; "the dog's laps were warm and wet" lick touching, touch - the act of putting two things together with no space between them; "at his touch the room filled with lights"
Verb	1.	lap - lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another lie - be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
	2.	lap - pass the tongue over; "the dog licked her hand" lick stroke - touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions; "He stroked his long beard" tongue - lick or explore with the tongue
	3.	lap - move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound; "The bubbles swoshed around in the glass"; "The curtain swooshed open" swish, swoosh, swosh sound, go - make a certain noise or sound; "She went `Mmmmm'"; "The gun went `bang'"
	4.	lap - take up with the tongue; "The cat lapped up the milk"; "the cub licked the milk from its mother's breast" lap up, lick drink, imbibe - take in liquids; "The patient must drink several liters each day"; "The children like to drink soda"
	5.	lap - wash or flow against; "the waves laved the shore" lave, wash flow - cover or swamp with water