lap

Your lap is the top of your thighs when you sit down, where your cat might sit. Lap can also refer to a trip around a racetrack, or to the act of overtaking a competitor by a lap.

Lap is associated with a number of idioms. If something "falls into your lap," you have gotten something without making much effort. For example, maybe you discovered a rare fossil in your yard while looking for your lost baseball. If you sold that fossil for a lot of money, you may find yourself now "sitting in the lap of luxury." That’s a wonderful place to be!

Primary Meanings of lap

1.	n	the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
2.	n v	a flap that lies over another part wash or flow against
3.	v n	take up with the tongue touching with the tongue
4.	v	move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound

Full Definitions of lap

n the upper side of the thighs of a seated person

“he picked up the little girl and plopped her down in his lap”

Type of:: thigh
the part of the leg between the hip and the knee

n the part of a piece of clothing that covers the thighs

“his lap was covered with food stains”

Synonyms:: lap covering

Type of:: cloth covering
a covering made of cloth

n an area of control or responsibility

“the job fell right in my lap”

Types:: lap of the gods
beyond human control or responsibility

Type of:: area, arena, domain, field, orbit, sphere
a particular environment or walk of life

n a flap that lies over another part

“the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches”

Synonyms:: overlap

Types:: show 5 types...; hide 5 types...; cuff, turnup
the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg; lapel
lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar; lappet
a small lap on a garment or headdress; revere, revers
a lapel on a woman's garment; turned back to show the reverse side; trouser cuff
a cuff on the bottoms of trouser legs

Type of:: flap
any broad, thin, and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely

n movement once around a course

“he drove an extra lap just for insurance”

Synonyms:: circle, circuit

Types:: pace lap
the first lap of a car race that prepares the cars for a fast start; lap of honour, victory lap
a lap by the winning person or team run to celebrate the victory

Type of:: locomotion, travel
self-propelled movement

v wash or flow against

Synonyms:: lave, wash

Type of:: flow
cover or swamp with water

v lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

Type of:: lie
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

v take up with the tongue

“The cat lapped up the milk”

Synonyms:: lap up, lick

Type of:: drink, imbibe
take in liquids

v pass the tongue over

Synonyms:: lick

Types:: tongue
lick or explore with the tongue

Type of:: stroke
touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions

n touching with the tongue

“the dog's laps were warm and wet”

Synonyms:: lick

Type of:: touch, touching
the act of putting two things together with no space between them

v move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound

Synonyms:: swish, swoosh, swosh

Type of:: go, sound
make a certain noise or sound