sap

¹sap

noun \ˈsap\

Definition of SAP

1

a : the fluid part of a plant; specifically : a watery solution that circulates through a plant's vascular system

b (1) : a body fluid (as blood) essential to life, health, or vigor (2) : bodily health and vigor

2

: a foolish gullible person

3

[probably short for sapling] : blackjack, bludgeon

— sap·less \ˈsa-pləs\ adjective

— sap·less·ness \-nəs\ noun

Origin of SAP

Middle English, from Old English sæp; akin to Old High German saf sap

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with SAP

cap, chap, clap, crap, flap, frap, gap, gape, hap, knap, lap, Lapp, map, nap, nape, nappe, pap, rap, scrap, slap, snap, strap, tap, trap, wrap, yap, Yap, zap

²sap

transitive verb

sappedsap·ping

Definition of SAP

1

: to drain or deprive of sap

2

: to knock out with a sap

First Known Use of SAP

1725

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

³sap

verb

sappedsap·ping

Definition of SAP

intransitive verb

: to proceed by digging a sap

transitive verb

1

: to subvert by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation : undermine

2

a : to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of <sapped her strength>

b : to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of <the illness sapped him of his stamina>

3

: to operate against or pierce by a sap

Origin of SAP

Middle French sapper, from Old Italian zappare, from zappa hoe

First Known Use: 1598

⁴sap

noun

Definition of SAP

: the extension of a trench to a point beneath an enemy's fortifications

Origin of SAP

French sape, from saper

First Known Use: 1642

sap

   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SAP

—see cell sap, nuclear sap