Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LAP, n. [Sat. læppe; G. lappen; D. Dan. lap; Sw. lapp. This word seems to be a different orthography of flap.]

1. The loose part of a coat; the lower part of a garment that plays loosely. – Swift.
2. The part of clothes that lies on the knees when a person sits down; hence, the knees in this position. Men expect that happiness should drop into their laps. – Tillotson.