nap
1to sleep for a short time; doze.
to be off one's guard: The question caught him napping.
to sleep or doze through (a period of time, an activity, etc.) (usually followed by away): I napped the afternoon away. He naps away most of his classes.
a brief period of sleep, especially one taken during daytime: Has the baby had her nap?
Origin of nap
1Other words for nap
Other definitions for nap (2 of 4)
the short fuzzy ends of fibers on the surface of cloth, drawn up in napping.
any downy coating, as on plants.
to raise a nap on.
Origin of nap
2Other words from nap
- napless, adjective
- nap·less·ness, noun
Other definitions for nap (3 of 4)
Origin of nap
3Other definitions for -nap (4 of 4)
a combining form extracted from kidnap, with the general sense “abduct or steal in order to collect a ransom”: artnap; petnap; starnap.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for nap (1 of 3)
/ (næp) /
to sleep for a short while; doze
to be unaware or inattentive; be off guard (esp in the phrase catch someone napping)
a short light sleep; doze
Origin of nap
1British Dictionary definitions for nap (2 of 3)
/ (næp) /
the raised fibres of velvet or similar cloth
the direction in which these fibres lie when smoothed down
any similar downy coating
Australian informal blankets, bedding
(tr) to raise the nap of (cloth, esp velvet) by brushing or similar treatment
Origin of nap
2British Dictionary definitions for nap (3 of 3)
/ (næp) /
Also called: napoleon a card game similar to whist, usually played for stakes
a call in this card game, undertaking to win all five tricks
horse racing a tipster's choice for an almost certain winner
go nap
to undertake to win all five tricks at nap
to risk everything on one chance
not to go nap on Australian slang to hold in disfavour
nap hand a position in which there is a very good chance of success if a risk is taken
(tr) horse racing to name (a horse) as likely to win a race
Origin of nap
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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