taps
pronunciation
How to pronounce taps in British English:
UK [tæps]
How to pronounce taps in American English:
US [tæps]
-
- Noun:
- (military) signal to turn the lights out
Word Origin
- taps (n.)
- U.S. military signal for lights out in soldiers' quarters (played 15 minutes after tattoo), 1824, from tap (v.), on the notion of drum taps (it originally was played on a drum, later on a bugle). As a soldier's last farewell, played over his grave, it may date to the American Civil War. The tune was revised several times in mid-19c.
Example
- 1. Turn off the taps too quickly and central bankers risk triggering a fresh recession .
- 2. When the taps turn off , who knows ?
- 3. These days bars with 20 taps are common .
- 4. The lab taps local universities for equipment and talent , and it is largely staffed by chinese scientists .
- 5. Are china 's liquidity taps being turned quietly back on ?