Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [sap]
- /sæp/
- /sæp/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [sap]
- /sæp/
Definitions of saps word
- noun saps Fortification. a deep, narrow trench constructed so as to form an approach to a besieged place or an enemy's position. 1
- verb with object saps Fortification. to approach (a besieged place or an enemy position) by means of deep, narrow trenches protected by gabions or parapets. to dig such trenches in (ground). 1
- verb with object saps to undermine; weaken or destroy insidiously. 1
- verb without object saps Fortification. to dig a sap. 1
- abbreviation SAPS South African Police Service 0
Information block about the term
Origin of saps
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English; Old English sæp; cognate with Dutch sap; akin to German Saft juice, Old Norse safi; in def. 5 a shortening of saphead
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Saps
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
saps popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
saps usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for saps
noun saps
- airheads — Plural form of airhead.
- bastinadoes — Plural form of bastinado.
- chumps — Plural form of chump.
- clubs — the suit of cards marked with the black trefoil symbol
- cudgels — Plural form of cudgel.
adjective saps
- apples — well or fine; under control.
- limes — a boundary, especially the fortified border or frontier of a country.
- olives — a female given name.
- willows — any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, characterized by narrow, lance-shaped leaves and dense catkins bearing small flowers, many species having tough, pliable twigs or branches used for wickerwork, etc. Compare willow family.