Dictionary

The loose part of a coat; the lower part of a garment that plays loosely; a skirt; an apron.

An edge; a border; a hem, as of cloth.

The part of the clothing that lies on the knees or thighs when one sits down; that part of the person thus covered

A place of rearing and fostering

To enfold; to hold as in one's lap; to cherish.

To rest or recline in a lap, or as in a lap.

The act or process of lapping.

That part of any substance or fixture which extends over, or lies upon, or by the side of, a part of another.

Example: the lap of a board

The state or condition of being in part extended over or by the side of something else; or the extent of the overlapping.

Example: The second boat got a lap of half its length on the leader.

The amount by which a slide valve at its half stroke overlaps a port in the seat, being equal to the distance the valve must move from its mid stroke position in order to begin to open the port. Used alone, lap refers to outside lap (see below).

To fold; to bend and lay over or on something.

Example: to lap a piece of cloth

To wrap around, enwrap, wrap up

Example: to lap a bandage around a finger

To envelop, enfold

Example: lapped in luxury

To wind around

To take (liquid) into the mouth with the tongue; to lick up with a quick motion of the tongue.

Example: Don't lap your soup like that, you look like a dog.

(of water) To wash against a surface with a splashing sound; to swash.

Examination of the loins or abdomen, now specifically examination or surgery on the peritoneal cavity using a laparoscope.