Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

belap

/bəˈlæp/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables
be-lap
IPA
/bəˈlæp/
9
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To lap or wrap around (someone or something); to envelop, to surround.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

PIE word *h₁epi From Middle English bilappen (“to envelop; to clothe; to surround; to blend, mix”), from bi- (completive, intensifying, or figurative prefix) + lappen (“to wrap; to place so as to enclose or enfold; to encase; to envelop; to clothe; to put on armour; to ensnare, snare”). Lappen is derived from lap, lappe (“loose part of a garment; folded or extended skirt, or loose sleeve, used to hold things; small piece of cloth or mail detached from a garment or coat of mail; a part, portion, share; a person’s lap; (also figuratively) a person’s bosom or breast; (anatomy) a loose part of the body (such as an earlobe or a lobe of the liver); female genitalia; cavity or sinus in the body; (in place names) piece of land at the edge of an estate or parish”) (from Old English læppa (“skirt; (anatomy) lobe”), from Proto-Germanic *lappô (“cloth; rag”); further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *leb- (“to hang down loosely (?)”)) + -en (suffix forming the infinitive of verbs). The English word is analysable as be- (prefix meaning ‘about; around’ or ‘completely, utterly’) + lap (“to lap or wrap around, envelop, surround”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /bəˈlæp/
  • British English: /bɪˈlæp/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce belap?
The recorded pronunciation is /bəˈlæp/.
What does belap mean?
To lap or wrap around (someone or something); to envelop, to surround.
Where does belap come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce belap

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “belap”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/bəˈlæp/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “belap”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “belap” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.