taps
taps Lexical Profile
taps Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Plural form of tap: valves or spigots by which the flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled.
"The plumber replaced the leaky brass taps in both the kitchen and the upstairs bathroom."
Plural form of tap: light, quick blows or gentle strikes.
"She heard three soft taps on the study door before her colleague stepped inside."
American A slow, solemn bugle call or drum signal played at night to mark lights-out in the military, and at military funerals and memorial services.
"A lone bugler sounded taps across the quiet cemetery at the conclusion of the memorial service."
Small metal plates attached to the toes and heels of shoes worn for tap dancing to produce a crisp rhythmic clicking sound.
"The dancer checked that the metal taps on her shoes were securely fastened before walking onto the stage."
• verb
To strike or touch someone or something with a quick, light blow (third-person singular present of tap).
"He nervously taps his pencil against the desk while reading through the exam questions."
To draw liquid from a cask, barrel, or tree, or to exploit and draw upon a supply, resource, or energy source (third-person singular present of tap).
"The new solar initiative taps the abundant sunlight of the desert region to power thousands of homes."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the bugle call played at military funerals and evening ceremonies, 'taps' is plural in form but typically treated as a singular noun in grammar (e.g., 'Taps was played at dusk').
• Rhymes for taps
Word Origin & Etymology
The military bugle sense dates to the American Civil War (1862), adapted either from earlier 'tattoo' (from Dutch taptoe, signaling tavern owners to 'close the beer taps') or from the three drum taps formerly used as the signal for lights-out.