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slap on

 - 2 dictionary results

slap

1[slap] noun, verb, slapped, slap⋅ping, adverb
–noun
1. a sharp blow or smack, esp. with the open hand or with something flat.
2. a sound made by or as if by such a blow or smack: the slap of the waves against the dock.
3. a sharply worded or sarcastic rebuke or comment.
–verb (used with object)
4. to strike sharply, esp. with the open hand or with something flat.
5. to bring (the hand, something flat, etc.) with a sharp blow against something.
6. to dash or cast forcibly: He slapped the package against the wall.
7. to put or place promptly and sometimes haphazardly (often fol. by on): The officer slapped a ticket on the car. He slapped mustard on the sandwich.
–adverb
8. Informal. directly; straight; smack: The tug rammed slap into the side of the freighter.
9. slap down,
a. to subdue, esp. by a blow or by force; suppress.
b. to reject, oppose, or criticize sharply: to slap down dissenting voices.
10. slap on the wrist, relatively mild criticism or censure: He got away with a slap on the wrist.

Origin:
1625–35; < LG slapp, slappe; of expressive orig.


slapper, noun


1. See blow 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

slap  (v.)
1632, probably of imitative origin, similar to Low Ger. slappe, Ger. Schlappe. The noun is recorded from 1648; fig. meaning "insult" is attested from 1736. Slapdash (1679) is first attested in Dryden. Slap-happy (1936) originally meant "punch-drunk." Slapshot in ice hockey is recorded from 1942. Slap on the wrist "very mild punishment" dates from 1914.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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