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slap

/slæp/ noun

In Latin: alapa Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about slap at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A blow from a flat object (as an open hand).
  2. The act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand.

verb

  1. Hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand.
    The impatient teacher slapped the student

adverb

  1. Directly.
    he ran bang into the pole

Origin

From Middle English slappen, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative. Compare Low German Slappe (“slap”), whence also German Schlappe (“defeat”). Compare also Italian sleppa (“slap”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)