noun / verb
lap
The gentle washing of water against a surface.
Small waves lap against the dock on a calm afternoon.
Etymology
An imitative liquid-motion word. It describes gentle washing and is associated with lapping liquid, not the lap formed by a seated body.
More examples
- We hear the soft lap of water against the shore.
- Water lapped gently against the side of the canoe.
- The tide is lapping at the seawall.
Forms
lap · laps · lapped · lapping