WordWeb Online

1. The sound of light blow or knock
   "he heard the tapping of the man's cane"

1. Strike lightly
   "He tapped me on the shoulder";
   - tip
    
2. Make light, repeated taps on a surface
   "he was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently";
   - rap, knock, pink
    
3. Draw from or dip into to get something
   "tap one's memory"; "tap a source of money"
    
4. Draw from; make good use of
   "we must tap the resources we are given wisely";
   - exploit
    
5. Secretly listen in on a communication channel (esp. a telephone) in order to get information
   "The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy";
   - wiretap, intercept, bug
    
6. Furnish with a tap or spout, so as to be able to draw liquid from it
   "tap a cask of wine"
    
7. Walk with a tapping sound
    
8. Draw (liquor) from a tap
   "tap beer in a bar";
   - pull [Brit, informal]
    
9. Pierce in order to draw a liquid from
   "tap a maple tree for its syrup"; "tap a keg of beer"
    
10. [informal] Ask for or obtain money or information from someone
     
11. Cut a female screw thread with a tap
     
12. Dance and make rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoes
    "Glover taps better than anybody";
    - tapdance

Derived forms: tappings

Type of: apply, cut, dance, draw, draw off, earwig [Brit, informal], eavesdrop, employ, furnish, go, listen in, offer, pierce, provide, render, sound, strike, supply, take out, trip the light fantastic, trip the light fantastic toe, use, utilise [Brit], utilize, walk, withdraw

Encyclopedia: Tapping, Western Australia