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   lap

   /lap/

   noun

   • 1. one circuit of a track during a race: "heavy rain stopped the race after 18 laps"
   • ▪ a stage in a swim consisting of two lengths (or one length) of a pool: "everyone did ten laps of the pool"
   • ▪ a part or section of a journey or other undertaking: "we caught a cab for the last lap of our journey"
   • 2. an overlapping or projecting part: "cut to the depth and width of the lap"
   • ▪ the amount by which one thing overlaps a part of another: "they have sufficient lap to act compositely"
   • ▪ a defect formed in rolling when a projecting part is accidentally folded over and pressed against the surface of the metal.
   • 3. a single turn of rope, thread, or cable round a drum or reel.
   • ▪ a layer or sheet of cotton or wool, wound on a roller during manufacture.
   • 4. (in a lapping machine) a rotating disc with a coating of fine abrasive for polishing.
   • ▪ a polishing tool of a special shape, coated or impregnated with an abrasive.

   verb

   • 1. overtake (a competitor in a race) to become one or more laps ahead: "she lapped all of her rivals in the 3,000 metres" Similar overtakeoverhauloutstripoutdistanceleave behindpassgo pastget/pull ahead ofcatch up with
   • ▪ (of a competitor in a race) complete a lap, especially in a specified time: "Mansell lapped two tenths of a second faster than anyone else"
   • 2. wrap or enfold someone or something in (something soft): literary "he was lapped in blankets" Similar wrapswathecoverenvelopenfoldencasewindswaddletwistsurround
   • 3. project beyond or overlap something: "the water lapped over the edges"
   • 4. polish (metal, glass, or a gem) with a lapping machine: "the honing and lapping of ring gauges"

   Word Origin Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘coil, fold, or wrap’): from lap1. Sense 1 of the noun and verb date from the mid 19th century.

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • L

     1

   • A

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   • P

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