Rap

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /ɹæp/

Definitions

1. A brief, sharp hit delivered with force ; a type of musical or spoken performance featuring rhythmic and rhymed speech ; to knock or strike a surface lightly to gain notice or open a door
2. A sudden impact made quickly and distinctly ; a vocal expression using rhythmic wordplay and beats ; to tap or knock on something to attract someone's attention
3. A fast, hard slap or strike ; a genre of music characterized by rhythmic rhyming lyrics ; to rap on a surface means to strike it rhythmically to alert others

Etymology: The sense of a quick, sharp blow is the oldest one here, and it came into English from the North Germanic languages, probably from Old Norse, alongside related Scandinavian words like Norwegian "rapp" and Swedish "rapp," all meaning a strike or lash. The Middle English verb "rappen" carried the same idea of hitting or knocking, and it is likely linked to the German "rappeln," meaning to rattle. So the knuckle-on-the-door sense and the striking sense are the original meanings, not later extensions. The musical sense is a much later development, and its exact origins are debated. Its link to the older verb is clear in the sense of talking rapidly and forcefully, as if striking the listener with words. Other suggestions, such as a possible connection to "rapparee," an Irish word for a footpad or irregular soldier, are uncertain and should be treated with caution.

Synonyms: beat, tap, knock, hit, strike

Antonyms: silence, whisper, muffle