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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
rap1 noun 1 a a quick short tap or blow; b the sound made by this. 2 slang blame or punishment take the rap. 3 a fast rhythmic monologue recited over a musical backing with a pronounced beat. 4 rap music. 5 colloq a conversation. verb (rapped, rapping) 1 to strike sharply. 2 intrans to make a sharp tapping sound. 3 (usually rap something out) to utter (eg a command) sharply and quickly. 4 to criticize sharply. 5 to communicate (a message) by raps or knocks. 6 intrans, colloq to talk or have a discussion. 7 intrans, colloq to perform a fast rhythmic monologue to music with a pronounced beat. rapper noun 1 a person that raps something. 2 a performer of rap music. beat the rap N Amer slang to escape punishment for a crime (whether guilty or not).
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: probably from Norse.
rap2 noun the least bit not care a rap.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: from the name of an 18c Irish counterfeit coin.
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Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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