Tap , v. t. 1. To
pierce so as to let out, or draw off, a fluid;
as, to tap a cask,
a tree, a tumor, etc.
2. Hence, to draw from (anything) in any analogous way; as, to tap telegraph wires for the purpose of intercepting information; to tap the treasury.
3. To draw, or cause to flow, by piercing. Shak.
He has been
tapping his liquors.
Addison. 4. (Mech.) To form an internal screw in (anything) by means of a tool called a tap; as, to
tap a nut.
Tap , n. [AS. tæppa, akin to D. tap,
G. zapfen, OHG. zapfo, Dan. tap, Sw. tapp,
Icel. tappi. Cf. Tampion, Tip.]
1. A
hole or pipe through which liquor is drawn.
2. A plug
or spile for stopping a hole pierced in a
cask, or the
like; a faucet.
3. Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a
certain kind or quality of
liquor; as, a liquor of the same tap. [Colloq.]
4.
A place where liquor is drawn for
drinking; a taproom; a bar. [Colloq.]
5.
(Mech.) A tool for forming an internal screw, as in a nut, consisting of a hardened
steel male screw grooved longitudinally so as to have cutting edges.
On
tap. (a) Ready to be drawn; as, ale
on tap. (b) Broached, or furnished
with a tap;
as, a barrel
on tap. -- Plug tap (Mech.), a screw-cutting tap with a slightly tapering end. -- Tap bolt, a bolt with a head on one end and a thread on the
other end, to be screwed into some fixed part, instead of passing through the part and
receiving a nut. See Illust. under Bolt. -- Tap cinder (Metal.),
the slag of a puddling
furnace.
Tap , v. i. To strike a gentle blow.
Tap , n. [Cf. F. tape. See Tap to strike.]
1.
A gentle or slight blow; a light
rap; a pat. Addison.
2.
A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe
in repairing or renewing the sole or heel.
3. pl.
(Mil.) A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in
soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed, -- usually given about a quarter of an
hour after tattoo. Wilhelm.
Tap (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tapped (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Tapping.]
[F. taper to strike; of Teutonic origin; cf. dial. G. tapp, tapps,
a blow, tappe a paw, fist, G. tappen to grope.] 1.
To strike with a slight
or gentle blow; to touch gently; to rap lightly; to pat; as, to tap one with the hand
or a cane.
2. To put a new sole or heel on; as, to tap shoes.
Hear it pronounced