laper

Senses

1. 1.

   to lap (up)

   to drink or eat by licking rapidly with the tongue, as an animal does

2. 2.

   to lap (of waves)

   to move in soft, light waves against a surface

Examples

• "Le chien lape l'eau dans son bol."

  The dog laps up the water in its bowl.

• "Les vagues lapaient doucement le rivage."

  The waves were lapping gently against the shore.

• "Elle a lapé le miel directement du pot."

  She lapped the honey straight from the jar.

Usage

Common in descriptions of animal behavior and water movement. More literary or poetic when used of waves; the direct object (water, milk, etc.) is typical. Not commonly used of human drinking behavior in formal registers.