tappen

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“
Old Bruin knew perfectly well that this matter, composed of pine leaves and other substances, was absolutely essential to him for the winter, for this is what makes the "_tappen_."

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Definitions (2)

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  1. A substance found in the intestine of the bear during hibernation, probably feces modified by long retention.

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Examples (5)

  • Then, tappen me on the shoulder, and lookin up and smilin, as he always did when he was pleased with an idee, Sir Samuel Slick would not sound bad, I guess, would it Sam? —  The Clockmaker — or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of Slickville
  • Old Bruin knew perfectly well that this matter, composed of pine leaves and other substances, was absolutely essential to him for the winter, for this is what makes the "_tappen_." —  Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories
  • The bear seems to live on its fat, the tappen preventing its too rapid consumption; and if you run across them during this time -- even along in March just before they wake up -- they are about as fat as when they went in. —  Scientific American Supplement, No. 324, March 18, 1882
  • American girl, who is hardly suited to move in the circles in which his wife must live -- I do believe Mr. Bulstrode prefers me, just now, to any other female he may tappen to know; but his attachment, if it deserve the name, has not the heart in it, dear Corny, that I know is to be found in your's. —  Satanstoe
  • a substance called 'tappen' that clogs it and the intestines; this is formed of pine leaves and other material that the animal takes from ants 'nest and the trunks of trees in its search after honey. —  Scientific American Supplement, No. 324, March 18, 1882
 

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