knap Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb strike sharply
    rap.
    • rap him on the knuckles
  2. verb break a small piece off from
    cut off; chip; break off.
    • chip the glass
    • chip a tooth

WordNet

Knap noun
Etymology
AS. cnæp, cnæpp, top, knob, button; cf. Icel. knappr knob, Sw. knapp, Dan. knap button, W., Gael., & Ir. cnap knob, button, and E. knop.
Definitions
  1. A protuberance; a swelling; a knob; a button; hence, rising ground; a summit. See Knob, and Knop.
    The highest part and knap of the same island. Holland.
Knap transitive verb
Etymology
D. knappen to chew, bite, crack, take hold of; prob. of imitative origin.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Knapped ; present participle & verbal noun Knapping
Definitions
  1. To bite; to bite off; to break short. Obs. or Prov. Eng.
    He will knap the spears apieces with his teeth. Dr. H. More.
    He breaketh the bow, and knappeth the spear in sunder. Ps. xlvi. 9 (Book of Common Prayer.)
  2. To strike smartly; to rap; to snap. Bacon.
Knap intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a sound of snapping. Wiseman.
Knap noun
Definitions
  1. A sharp blow or slap. Halliwell.

Webster 1913