rap: Meaning and Definition of

rap

Pronunciation: (rap), [key]
— v., n. rapped, rap•ping,
—v.t.
  1. to strike, esp. 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 fol. by out).
  4. to criticize sharply: Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.
  5. to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime.
  6. to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold.
—v.i.
  1. to knock smartly or lightly, esp. so as to make a noise: to rap on a door.
  2. to talk or discuss, esp. freely, openly, or volubly; chat.
  3. to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music.
—n.
  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. blame or punishment, esp. for a crime.
  4. a criminal charge: a murder rap.
  5. response, reception, or judgment: The product has been getting a very bad rap.
  6. a high-pressure sales rap.
    1. a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.
    2. talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel:a high-pressure sales rap.
  7. See
  8. to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted: The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.
  9. to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another: He took the rap for the burglary.

rap

Pronunciation: (rap), [key]
— n.
  1. the least bit: I don't care a rap.
  2. a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

rap

Pronunciation: (rap), [key]
— rapped rapt, rap•ping.
  1. to carry off; transport.
  2. to transport with rapture.
  3. to seize for oneself; snatch.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • rap (Thesaurus)