rap

¹

[ rap ]

verb (used with object)

, rapped, rap·ping.

1. to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow:

   He rapped the door with his cane.

2. to utter sharply or vigorously:

   to rap out a command.

3. (of a spirit summoned by a medium) to communicate (a message) by raps (often followed by out ).
4. Slang. to criticize sharply:

   Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.

5. Slang. to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime.
6. Metallurgy. to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold.

verb (used without object)

, rapped, rap·ping.

1. to knock smartly or lightly, especially so as to make a noise:

   to rap on a door.

2. Slang. to talk or discuss, especially freely, openly, or volubly; chat.
3. Slang. to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music.

noun

1. a quick, smart, or light blow:

   a rap on the knuckles with a ruler.

2. the sound produced by such a blow:

   They heard a loud rap at the door.

3. Slang. blame or punishment, especially for a crime.
4. Slang. a criminal charge:

   a murder rap.

5. Slang. response, reception, or judgment:

   The product has been getting a very bad rap.

6. Slang.
   1. a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.
   2. talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel:

      a high-pressure sales rap.

7. rap music.

rap

²

[ rap ]

noun

1. the least bit; the smallest amount; jot; iota:

   I don't care a rap.

2. a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

rap

³

[ rap ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

, rapped or rapt, rap·ping.

1. to carry off; transport.
2. to transport with rapture.
3. to seize for oneself; snatch.

rap

¹

/ ræp /

verb

1. to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knock

   he rapped at the door

2. intr to make a sharp loud sound, esp by knocking
3. tr to rebuke or criticize sharply
4. trfoll byout to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashion

   to rap out orders

5. slang.
   intr to talk, esp volubly
6. intr to perform a rhythmic monologue with a musical backing
7. rap over the knuckles
   to reprimand

noun

1. a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow
2. a sharp rebuke or criticism
3. slang.
   voluble talk; chatter

   stop your rap

4. 1. a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track
   2. ( as modifier )

      rap music

5. slang.
   a legal charge or case
6. beat the rap slang.
   to escape punishment or be acquitted of a crime
7. take the rap slang.
   to suffer the consequences of a mistake, misdeed, or crime, whether guilty or not

rap

²

/ ræp /

noun

1. used with a negative the least amount (esp in the phrase not to care a rap )

rap

³

/ ræp /

verb

1. informal.
   a variant spelling of wrap wrap

rap

1. A form of pop music characterized by spoken or chanted rhymed lyrics, with a syncopated, repetitive accompaniment. Rap music originated in the second half of the twentieth century in black urban communities. ( See also hip-hop .)

Derived Forms

• ˈrapping, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rap¹

First recorded in 1300–50; 1960–65 rap ¹fordef 8; Middle English verb rappen; akin to Swedish rappa “to beat, drub,” German rappeln “to rattle”; the senses “to talk” and “conversation, talk” are perhaps of distinct origin, though the hypothesis that these meanings are a shortening of repartee is questionable

Origin of rap²

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Origin of rap³

First recorded in 1520–30; back formation from rapt

Word History and Origins

Origin of rap¹

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish rappa to beat

Origin of rap²

C18: probably from ropaire counterfeit coin formerly current in Ireland

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. beat the rap, Slang. to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted:

   The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.

2. take the rap, Slang. to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another:

   He took the rap for the burglary.

More idioms and phrases containing rap

In addition to the idiom beginning with rap , also see beat the rap ; bum rap ; not give a damn (rap) ; take the rap .

Example Sentences

Her response: “What’s the rap verse? ‘F— the police, that’s how I see ‘em,’” which she told me was a garbling of lyrics by N.W.A, Kanye West and Rage Against the Machine.

From Los Angeles Times

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has recorded his own version of rap track Get Low alongside US star T-Pain, in tribute to his wife Priscilla Chan for their "dating anniversary".

From BBC

Before the east and west coast rap beef of the 1990s boiled over with the murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG, legendary producer Quincy Jones called a secret meeting at which he appealed for an end to the violence.

From BBC

Jones was revered in all corners of music, including rap.

From BBC

Meanwhile, across America, Los Angeles was coming into its own as the capital of gangsta rap, led by menacing mogul Suge Knight's Death Row Records, which had Dr Dre and Tupac.

From BBC

Related Words

• knock
• scold