chap

¹

[chap]

verb (used with object)

chapped, chapping 

1. to crack, roughen, and redden (the skin).

   The windy, cold weather chapped her lips.

2. to cause (the ground, wood, etc.) to split, crack, or open in clefts.

   The summer heat and drought chapped the riverbank.

verb (used without object)

chapped, chapping 

1. to become chapped.

noun

1. a fissure or crack, especially in the skin.

2. Scot.,  a knock; rap.

chap

²

[chap]

noun

1. Chiefly British Informal: Older Use.,  a fellow; man or boy.

2. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.,  a baby or young child.

3. British Dialect.,  a customer.

chap

³

[chop, chap]

noun

1. Usually chaps chop.

chap.

⁴

Or Chap.

abbreviation

1. Chaplain.

2. chapter.

chap

¹

/ tʃæp /

verb

1. (of the skin) to make or become raw and cracked, esp by exposure to cold

2. (of a clock) to strike (the hour)

3. to knock (at a door, window, etc)

noun

1. (usually plural) a cracked or sore patch on the skin caused by chapping

2. a knock

chap.

²

abbreviation

1. chaplain

2. chapter

chap

³

/ tʃæp /

noun

1. informal,  a man or boy; fellow

chap

⁴

/ tʃɒp, tʃæp /

noun

1. a less common word for chop 3

Other Word Forms

• unchapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chap¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chappen “(of a fruit) to split open, burst; (of skin) to crack, chap”; cognate with Dutch kappen “to cut”; akin to chip ¹

Origin of chap²

First recorded in 1570–80; short for chapman

Origin of chap³

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English chop, chappe “jaw, jawbone”; perhaps special use of chap ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of chap¹

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch, German kappen to chop off

Origin of chap²

C16 (in the sense: buyer): shortened from _chapman

Example Sentences

He added: "I have no idea what's happening to this poor chap's foals. I do feel his pain. I would suggest he's looking in the wrong direction for the culprit."

From BBC

She described her brother as a "gregarious chap" with a "very warm personality" and "infectious laugh".

From BBC

“Dominick Lopez!” the announcer cries, and out sprints a sheep carrying Dominick, his chaps flapping.

From Los Angeles Times

Gen. Harrison Gray Otis, the famously combative owner of the Los Angeles Times, published an editorial in 1882 warning: “Don’t feed the worthless chaps. It only encourages them in their idleness and viciousness.”

From Los Angeles Times

Despite it being near 90 degrees at the Monnaie De Paris, attendees showed up in fur stoles and leather chaps over jeans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bloke 
• lad