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| tap [ tap ] |
noun (plural taps) |
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| Definition: |
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1. barrel plug: a stopper in a cask or barrel, used to seal in the contents and also to allow liquid to be drawn off at a controlled rate
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2. beer from cask: liquid, especially beer, that has been drawn from a tap in a cask or barrel and is regarded as having particular qualities because of this
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3. telecommunications listening device: a device put into a telephone or other telecommunication equipment in order to secretly listen to or record other people's conversations
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4. surgery surgical fluid extraction: a surgical procedure that involves drawing off a body fluid using a hollow needle or tube
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5. tools tool for screw threads: a tool used to make an internal screw thread
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6. U.S. electricity temporary connection in circuit: a point in a circuit where a temporary connection may be made
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7. stock exchange security on market at predetermined price: a government security made available gradually on the stock market when its price reaches a predetermined level
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8. U.K. construction
Same as faucet
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verb (past and past participle tapped, present participle tap·ping, 3rd person present singular taps) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb telecommunications place listening device on phone line: to fit a device into a telephone or other telecommunication equipment in order to secretly listen to or record other people's conversations
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2. transitive verb attach tap: to attach a tap to something in order to draw off or control the flow of liquid
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3. transitive verb draw liquid from barrel: to draw off liquid such as wine or beer from a barrel by means of a tap
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4. transitive verb surgery draw fluid from body: to surgically draw off fluid from a part of the body
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5. transitive verb forestry obtain sap: to cut into a tree in order to draw off sap or resin
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6. transitive verb electrical engineering get into power supply: to connect to a power supply and divert energy from it, usually illegally
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7. transitive and intransitive verb put resource to use: to make use of a resource or supply of something
(
informal
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  tapped into our capital
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8. transitive verb borrow money: to borrow a sum of money from somebody
(
informal
)
She tapped me for 20 bucks.
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9. transitive verb mechanical engineering make internal screw thread: to cut an internal screw thread into something
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| [ Old English tæppa (noun), tæppian (verb) < Germanic] |
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| tap·pa·ble adjective |
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on tap
1. available for immediate use
2. available to be drawn from a container
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