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slap

 - 4 dictionary results

slap

1  [slap] noun, verb, slapped, slap⋅ping, adverb
Use slap in a Sentence
–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.
—Verb phrase
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.
—Idiom
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.

Related forms:
slapper, noun

Synonyms:
1. See blow 1 .

slap

2  [slap] noun, verb, slapped, slap⋅ping. Scot.
–noun
1. a gap or opening, as in a fence, wall, cloud bank, or line of troops.
2. a mountain pass.
3. a wound or gash.
–verb (used with object)
4. to make a gap or opening in; breach.
Origin:
1325–75; ME slop < MD or MLG; c. G Schlupf hiding place
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To slap
slap   (slāp)   
n.  

    1. A sharp blow made with the open hand or with a flat object; a smack.

    2. The sound of such a blow.

  2. A sharp insult: a slap to one's pride.

v.   slapped, slap·ping, slaps

v.   tr.

  1. To strike with a flat object, such as the palm of the hand.

  2. To cause to strike sharply and loudly: "He took a clipping from his wallet and slapped it on the bar" (Nathanael West).

  3. To put or place quickly or carelessly: slapped butter on a bagel.

  4. To criticize or insult sharply.

  5. To subject to a legal obligation, such as a fine or court order: slapped him with a speeding ticket; slapped her with a lawsuit.

v.   intr.
To strike or beat with the force and sound of a slap: waves slapping against the raft.
adv.   Informal
Directly and with force.
Phrasal Verb(s):
slap down

  1. To restrain or correct by means of a sharp blow or emphatic censure: "thought [he] was getting a little uppity and needed to be slapped down" (New York Times).

  2. To put a sudden end to; suppress: slap down divisive criticism.


Idiom(s):
slap on the wristA nominal or token punishment.

[Middle English slappe.]
slap'per n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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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