Lap Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lap

[læp ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

animal

A small mammal with soft fur, sharp teeth, and a long tail, often kept as a pet or used for laboratory research.

Synonyms

guinea pig, hamster, rabbit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lap	Already described above.
guinea pig	Use when referring to a small, domesticated rodent often kept as a pet or used in scientific experiments. Can also mean a person used in an experiment or trial, sometimes with a negative connotation. Her guinea pig loves to eat carrots. I felt like a guinea pig during the new training program.
rabbit	Use when referring to a small, furry mammal with long ears, often kept as a pet or known for burrowing and living in the wild. The rabbit hopped across the garden. She adopted a rabbit from the shelter.
hamster	Use when referring to a small, burrowing rodent often kept as a pet, known for storing food in its cheek pouches. The hamster runs on its wheel all night. His hamster has a habit of hiding seeds in its cage.

Examples of usage

She has a pet lap in her house.
The laboratory uses laps for experiments.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

anatomy

The front part of a person's body from the waist to the knees when sitting.

Synonyms

knees, thighs, upper legs.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lap	Commonly used in situations where someone is sitting and their upper legs form a flat area. Frequently referred to when someone uses this area for holding objects or a child. The cat crawled into my lap. She placed her book on her lap.
thighs	Refers to the upper part of the legs between the hip and the knee. It is used in contexts related to anatomy, fitness, and sometimes discomfort or pain. Her thighs were sore after the workout. He has strong thighs from cycling.
knees	Refers specifically to the joint area between the thigh and the lower leg. Often mentioned in contexts involving movement, posture, or pain. He fell and injured his knees. Bend your knees during the exercise.
upper legs	A more general term for the area of the legs above the knee, often used in medical, anatomical, or formal contexts. The injury was located on his upper legs. Stretch your upper legs before running.

Examples of usage

He sat with his hands on his lap.
She placed the book on her lap.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'lap'

The word 'lap' has a complex history, with different meanings and origins. The use of 'lap' to refer to a small mammal dates back to the 17th century, while its use to describe the front part of a person's body has a different origin. In Old English, 'lap' meant the broad part of a garment that lies on the knees. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the anatomical sense we know today.

See also: lapel, lapin, lapper, laptop, lapwing, overlap.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,689 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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6686 constituting
6687 insane
6688 foliage
6689 lap
6690 tracking
6691 temptation
6692 complied
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