▪ I. lapper1
(ˈlæpə(r))
[f. lap v.1 + -er1.]
One who laps, or takes up (liquid) with the tongue.
| 1606 J. Carpenter Solomon's Solace vii. 28 Those doggish lappers, and those faint hearted dastardes. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. 418 The great majority of the Hymenoptera order..though furnished with mandibles and maxillæ, never use them for mastication, but really lap their food with their tongue: these therefore might be denominated lappers. 1827 Blackw. Mag. XXII. 470 The pupils of the modern school discover in him but the crafty, cruel, and cowardly lapper of blood. |
▪ II. lapper2
(ˈlæpə(r))
[f. lap v.2 + -er1.]
1. One who laps or folds up (linen).
| 1732 Swift Consid. Two Bills Pr. Wks. 1898 III. 269 They may be lappers of linen, bailiffs of the manor, they may let blood [etc.]. 1891 Labour Commission Gloss., Lappers, male operatives who fold into shape for the market the various fabrics that are manufactured in the textile industry. 1893 Star 29 Apr. 2/6 The trade of the linen lapper consists in measuring the goods and folding them for the different markets. |
2. = lapping-machine (see lapping vbl. n.2 3).
| In some mod. Dicts. |
▪ III. lapper3
(ˈlæpə(r))
[f. lap v.4 + -er1.]
One who uses a lap or lapidary's wheel.
| 1877 Gee Pract. Gold-worker 178 The lapper produces the plain and diamond-shaped surfaces by the rotary action of the lapidary's wheel. 1896 Mod. Advt., Lapper wanted, to fill in spare time with polishing. |
▪ IV. lapper
see lopper.