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taps

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
taps  (tps)
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]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.tapstaps - (military) signal to turn the lights out
lights-out
bugle 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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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
for taps is the soldier's nightly release from duty, and farewell: plaintive, sweet, pathetic, for the morning is never sure, for him; always it is possible that he is hearing it for the last time.
A Horse's Tale by Twain, Mark View in context
Hugh lingered behind for a few moments to stimulate himself with more drink, and to set all the taps running, a few of which had accidentally been spared; then, glancing round the despoiled and plundered room, through whose shattered window the rioters had thrust the Maypole itself,--for even that had been sawn down,--lighted a torch, clapped the mute and motionless John Willet on the back, and waving his light above his head, and uttering a fierce shout, hastened after his companions.
Barnaby Rudge - A Tale Of The Riots Of 'Eighty by Dickens, Charles View in context
A series of staccato taps on the west window brought Anne flying in from the yard, eyes shining, cheeks faintly flushed with pink, unbraided hair streaming behind her in a torrent of brightness.
Anne Of Green Gables by Montgomery, Lucy Maud View in context
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