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Lap: meaning, definitions and examples

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lap

 

[ læp ]

Noun
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

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

Examples of usage

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

Translations

Translations of the word "lap" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colo

🇮🇳 गोद

🇩🇪 Schoß

🇮🇩 pangkuan

🇺🇦 коліна

🇵🇱 kolana

🇯🇵 膝

🇫🇷 genoux

🇪🇸 regazo

🇹🇷 kucak

🇰🇷 무릎

🇸🇦 حضن

🇨🇿 klín

🇸🇰 kolená

🇨🇳 膝盖

🇸🇮 naročje

🇮🇸 kjöltur

🇰🇿 тізе

🇬🇪 ხელი

🇦🇿 diz

🇲🇽 regazo

Word origin

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.