pap

views updated May 21 2018

pap¹ / pap/ • n. often derog. bland soft or semiliquid food such as that suitable for babies or invalids: trying to eat a trayful of tasteless pap. ∎ derog. reading matter or entertainment that is worthless or lacking in substance: limitless channels serving up an undemanding diet of pap.pap² • n. archaic or dial. a woman's breast or nipple.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

pap

views updated May 23 2018

pap1 teat, nipple. XII. ME. pappe, prob. immed. from Scand. (cf. Sw. and Norw. dial. pappe), ult. f. an imit. base *pap- expressing the noise of sucking; cf. L. papilla, late L. papula nipple, Lith. pāpas teat. Cf. next.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

pap

views updated Jun 08 2018

pap2 soft or semi-liquid food for infants. XV. prob. — (M)LG., MDu. pappe (Du. pap), prob. — medL. pappa, f. L. pappāre eat, ult. derived from baby language (cf. L. pap(p)a, used by infants in calling for food).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

PAP

views updated May 14 2018

PAP n. primary atypical pneumonia. See atypical (pneumonia).

A Dictionary of Nursing

PAP

views updated May 23 2018

PAP (Singapore) People's Action Party
• Polska Agencja Prasowa (Polish Press Agency)
• Med. pulmonary arterial pressure

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH