n.

1. the sound made by a gentle blow;
   pat, rap
2. a faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask;
   water faucet, water tap, hydrant
3. a gentle blow;
   rap, strike
4. a small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing)
5. a tool for cutting female (internal) screw threads
6. a plug for a bunghole in a cask;
   spigot
7. the act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information;
   wiretap
8. a light touch or stroke;
   pat, dab

v.

1. cut a female screw thread with a tap
2. draw from or dip into to get something
   
   • tap one's memory
   • tap a source of money
3. strike lightly;
   tip
   
   • He tapped me on the shoulder
4. draw from; make good use of;
   exploit
   
   • we must exploit the resources we are given wisely
5. tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information;
   wiretap, intercept, bug
   
   • The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
   • Is this hotel room bugged?
6. furnish with a tap or spout, so as to be able to draw liquid from it
   
   • tap a cask of wine
7. make light, repeated taps on a surface;
   rap, knock, pink
   
   • he was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
8. walk with a tapping sound
9. dance and make rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoes;
   tapdance
   
   • Glover tapdances better than anybody
10. draw (liquor) from a tap
    
    • tap beer in a bar
11. pierce in order to draw a liquid from
    
    • tap a maple tree for its syrup
    • tap a keg of beer
12. make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently;
    solicit, beg
    
    • Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
    • My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities