rap Definition

rap¹
noun

1a. A quick short tap or blow;
1b. The sound made by this.
2. slang
Blame or punishment.
Example: take the rap
Thesaurus: blame, responsibility, punishment, reprimand, rebuke, censure, castigation, animadversion.
3. A fast rhythmic monologue recited over a musical backing with a pronounced beat.
4. rap music.
5. colloq
A conversation.
Thesaurus: talk, discussion, bull session (US slang), rap session (US slang), parley, dialogue, colloquy.

verb rapped, rapping

1. To strike sharply.

Thesaurus: tap, knock, strike, hit, cuff, whack.
intr
2. To make a sharp tapping sound.
3. To utter (eg a command) sharply and quickly.

Form: rap something out (usually)
4. To criticize sharply.

Thesaurus: criticize, castigate, animadvert, lampoon, assail, ridicule, pillory.
5. To communicate (a message) by raps or knocks.
intr
6. colloq
To talk or have a discussion.
Thesaurus: talk, chat, converse, discuss, commune, confabulate.
intr
7. colloq
To perform a fast rhythmic monologue to music with a pronounced beat.

Derivative: rapper

A person that raps something.

A performer of rap music.

Idiom: beat the rap

( Amer)
slang
To escape punishment for a crime (whether guilty or not).

Etymology: 14c: probably from Norse.

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rap²
noun

1. The least bit.

Example: not care a rap

Etymology: 19c: from the name of an 18c Irish counterfeit coin.