▪ I. rap-tap, int.
An imitation of the sound produced by rapping on a door.
| 1833 Marryat P. Simple i, Rap, tap, tap! ‘There's your master’,..screamed the lady. 1874 A. G. Murdoch Sandy M'Tartan 3 Rap, tap, tirrap, went the Tweezer's knuckles against the pannelling of the door. |
▪ II. ˈrap-ˈtap, v.
[Cf. rap-tap n.]
intr. To make a rapping noise. Hence ˈrap-ˈtapping ppl. a.
| 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. I. 36 The tuteling fife, and hoarse rap-tapping drum. 1859 E. Capern Ball. & Songs 142 Thrice happy cot, if there the bard should stray By some kind chance, and rap-tap at its door. |