Middle English Dictionary Entry
tappen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | tappen v.(2) Also tap, (early SWM) tep & (error) taspyn. |
| Etymology | OF taper, tapper. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To give a tap (at sth.);—used iron.; also, strike (sb. or sth.) lightly, hit, tap; pat (sb. or sth.); (b) to strike (one's foot) lightly upon something, tap; (c) in surname [for last quot. cp. tippen v.(1) (d)].
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)153/18 : Tep [Cleo: tap] him o þe sculle, for he is earh..þron.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)487 : Taspyn [read: Tappyn]: Palpo, palpito.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2110 : I schal tappyn at þi tyre Wyth styffe stonys.
b
- c1450 My ladyes (Frf 16)131 : Your foot ye tappyn, and ye daunce.
c
- (1327) Nickname in LuSE 55175 : Beat'i Tapcorn.
- (1332) Nickname in LuSE 55175 : Will. Tapkorn; Beatr. Tappkorn.
- (1400) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames352 : John Taplady.