sap
Sap (noun) means the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients. Example: “Maple sap is boiled down for hours to make syrup.”
How to Use Sap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the liquid inside a plant, or (as a verb) to slowly wear something down.
As a noun for "a foolish person," it's old-fashioned slang — mostly heard in vintage films and books rather than everyday speech.
Word Forms
sapped past tense, sapped past tense, sapped past tense, saps plural, saps plural, saps plural, saps singular, saps singular, saps singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Maple _____ is boiled down for hours to make syrup.
Etymology
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.
Related Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “sap” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “sap”?
“Sap” is pronounced sap (/sæp/ in IPA).
How do you use “sap” in a sentence?
Here is “sap” used in a sentence: “Maple sap is boiled down for hours to make syrup.”
What part of speech is “sap”?
Depending on how it is used, “sap” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sap” come from?
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.
Is “sap” a common word?
“Sap” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “sap” have?
“Sap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients.
What is the difference between sap and resin in plants?
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.
What does it mean to call someone a sap?
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.
What does it mean to sap someone's energy?
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.
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