sap

noun (1)

\ ˈsap

Definition of sap

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : the fluid part of a plant specifically : a watery solution that circulates through a plant's vascular system

b(1) : a body fluid (such 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

verb (1)

sapped; sapping

Definition of sap (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to drain or deprive of sap

2 : to knock out with a sap

sap

verb (2)

sapped; sapping

Definition of sap (Entry 3 of 4)

intransitive verb

: to proceed by digging a sap

transitive verb

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

2a : 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

sap

noun (2)

Definition of sap (Entry 4 of 4)

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

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Verb (2)

weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, undermine, sap, cripple, disable mean to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor. weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power. a disease that weakens the body's defenses enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness. enfeebled by starvation debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality. the debilitating effects of surgery undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously. a poor diet undermines your health drugs had sapped his ability to think cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element. crippled by arthritis disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability. disabled by an injury sustained at work