1strike (someone or something) with a quick light blow or blows:one of my staff tapped me on the shoulder
strike (something) against something else with a quick light blow or blows:Gloria was tapping her feet in time to the music
(tap something out) produce (a rhythm) with a series of quick light blows on a surface:drums that tapped out a rumba beat
write or enter (something) using a keyboard or keypad:he tapped out a few words on the keyboard
2 (usually be tapped) US informal designate or select (someone) for a task or honor, especially membership in an organization or committee:he had been tapped earlier to serve in Costa Rica
noun
1a quick light blow or the sound of such a blow.
2tap dancing.
a piece of metal attached to the toe and heel of a tap dancer’s shoe to make a tapping sound.
3 (taps) [treated as singular or plural]US a bugle call for lights to be put out in army quarters.
[so named because the signal was originally sounded on a drum]
a bugle call sounded at a military funeral.
Derivatives
tapper
noun
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French taper, or of imitative origin; compare with clap1 and rap1
