Emily Dickinson Lexicon

lap (-s), v. [OE lapian.] (webplay: along, down, feed, licking, men, side, thread, tongue).

1. Take in; receive a very small amount at a time.
2. Imbibe; partake of; [fig.] breathe in little by little.
3. Slurp; lick up; consume by taking up with the tongue; drink with a quick little rhythmic motion of the tongue, like a cat or kitten; [fig.] travel quickly; traverse speedily; cover rapidly.
4. Gulp; swallow; slake the thirst by drinking; [fig.] deluge; drown; quench; extinguish; overwhelm; hit with water; flood with driving rain; [word play on “slap”] batter with sea waves; make contact with repeatedly.