sap

sap

sap¹ [sap]

n.

[ME < OE sæp, akin to Ger saft < IE base * sab-, var. of * sap-, to taste, perceive > L sapere, to taste, know]

1. the juice that circulates through a plant, esp. a woody plant, bearing water, food, etc. to the tissues

2. any fluid vital to the life or health of an organism

3. vigor; vitality

4. [< SAPHEAD] Slang a stupid person; fool

vt.

sapped, sapping

to drain of sap

sapless

adj.

sap² [sap]

n.

[MFr sappe < the v.]

an extended, narrow trench for approaching or undermining an enemy position or fortification

vt.

sapped, sapping [MFr sapper < sappe, a hoe < VL sappa, orig. he-goat, prob. < Illyrian * zapp-]

1. to undermine by digging away foundations; dig beneath

2. to undermine in any way; weaken; exhaust

vi.

1. to dig saps

2. to approach an enemy's position by saps

SYN.- WEAKEN

sap³ [sap]

n.

[prob. orig. contr. < SAPLING ]

☆ Slang a blackjack, short club, etc.

vt.

sapped, sapping

☆ Slang to hit on the head, or knock out, with a sap