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sap2

Pronunciation: /sap/

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Definition of sap

noun

historical

a tunnel or trench to conceal an assailant’s approach to a fortified place.

verb (saps, sapping, sapped)

[no object] historical

dig a sap or saps: having sapped up to the glacis of the city ramparts, Versaillais troops entered the city
[with object] archaic make insecure by removing the foundations of:a crazy building, sapped and undermined by the rats
[with object] Geography undercut by water or glacial action: cliffs may form cirque-like alcoves around the head of springs as a result of sapping

Origin:

late 16th century (as a verb in the sense 'dig a sap or covered trench'): from French saper, from Italian zappare, from zappa 'spade, spadework', probably from Arabic sarab 'underground passage', or sabora 'probe a wound, explore'

sap in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sap in the US English dictionary

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