rap

I. noun Etymology: Middle English rappe Date: 14th century 1. a sharp blow or knock 2. a. a sharp rebuke or criticism b. a negative and often undeserved reputation or charge — often used with bum or bad <

given a bum rap by the press

> 3. a. the responsibility for or adverse consequences of an action <

refused to take the rap

> b. a criminal charge c. a prison sentence II. verb (rapped; rapping) Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to strike with a sharp blow 2. to utter suddenly and forcibly 3. to cause to be or come by raps <

rap the meeting to order

> 4. to criticize sharply intransitive verb 1. to strike a quick sharp blow 2. to make a short sharp sound III. transitive verb (rapped; also rapt; rapping) Etymology: back-formation from rapt Date: 1599 1. to snatch away or upward 2. enrapture IV. noun Etymology: perhaps from 1rap Date: 1834 a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration) ; the least bit <

doesn't care a rap

> V. intransitive verb (rapped; rapping) Etymology: perhaps from 1rap Date: 1929 1. to talk freely and frankly 2. to perform rap music VI. noun Date: 1967 1. talk, conversation; also a line of talk ; patter 2. a. a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment b. a piece so performed