sap

The word “sap” means the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients. In plain terms, most often the liquid inside a plant, or (as a verb) to slowly wear something down.

“Sap” is pronounced sap (/sæp/ in IPA).

Here is “sap” used in a sentence: “Maple sap is boiled down for hours to make syrup.”

Depending on how it is used, “sap” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “sap” comes from Old English. From Old English "saep" ("juice, sap"), from a Proto-Germanic root related to taste; the "gullible person" sense comes from "sapskull," literally someone with sap instead of brains.

“Sap” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Sap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients.

Sap is the watery fluid that circulates through a plant carrying nutrients, functioning much like blood does in animals, while resin is a thicker, stickier substance some plants, especially conifers, produce mainly for protection and sealing wounds. Sap moves internally through the plant's tissues; resin is often exuded externally.

Calling someone a "sap" is an informal, somewhat dated way of describing a gullible or easily fooled person. It is typically used to mock someone for being naive rather than as a serious insult.

To "sap" someone's energy, strength, or resolve means to gradually drain it away, often without the person immediately noticing. The verb suggests a slow, weakening effect rather than a sudden loss.