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  1. zap love

Definitions

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

  1. v. To destroy or kill with a burst of gunfire, flame, or electric current.
  2. v. To kill or destroy as if by shooting.
  3. v. To strike suddenly and forcefully as if with a projectile or weapon: "His . . . narrative runs marvelously on and on, zapping the reader with often surprising and . . . painful glimpses” ( Publishers Weekly).
  4. v. To expose to radiation; irradiate: "perfect for those who can't bring themselves to zap food in a microwave” ( John F. Mariani).
  5. v. To attack (an enemy) with heavy firepower; strafe or bombard.
  6. v. To use a remote control device to switch (channels on a television) or to turn off (a television set).
  7. v. To move swiftly; zoom.
  8. n. Something that imparts excitement or great interest.
  9. interj. Used to imitate a sound made by a gun when fired.
  10. interj. Used to indicate a sudden occurrence.

Wiktionary

  1. n. colloquial A sound made by a sudden release of electricity or some similar energy.
  2. n. colloquial An electrical shock.
  3. v. To make a zapping sound.
  4. v. To use a remote control to repeatedly change channels on a television.
  5. v. To strike (something or someone) with electricity or energy, as by shooting.
  6. v. To damage (especially electronics) with electrostatic discharge.
  7. v. To heat (something) in a microwave oven.
  8. v. To delete or discard (electronic media).
  9. v. To further energize or charge (magnetic material).
  10. interj. Representing the sound or action of a zap.

GNU Webster's 1913

  1. v. to shoot, destroy, or inactivate.
  2. v. to bomb with an atomic bomb.
  3. v. to cook or heat in a microwave oven.
  4. v. to subject to radiation, a laser beam, a strong electric current, or other potentially destructive treatment.
  5. v. to skip over (e. g. a commercial or dull interval in a television program) by using the fast-forward button on a VCR remove control.
  6. v. to add interest, color, or attractiveness to; to liven; -- usually used with up.

WordNet 3.0

  1. v. cook or heat in a microwave oven
  2. n. a sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
  3. v. strike at with firepower or bombs
  4. v. strike suddenly and with force
  5. v. kill with or as if with a burst of gunfire or electric current or as if by shooting

Etymologies

  1. onomatopoeic (Wiktionary)
  2. Imitative. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

Examples

  • “And when such a zap is administered to an unsuspecting, coin-bearing beverage-seeker, a funny thing happens -- dozens of teeny plastic light-up ray guns in the box simultaneously fire a deafening cacophony of BEEYOOO BEEYOOO PATOW PATOW BEEYOOO!”

    Voice Post:

  • “An incontrovertible supply of bang and zap is important.”

    Archive 2007-08-01

  • “Their data does not shed much light on the early code, consisting of prebiotically available amino acids-the kind generated in Stanley Miller's famous "zap" - experiment.”

    PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories

  • “We also should recognize SF as the source of zap, which is used as noun, verb, and interjection to indicate ` sudden power '(n.), to ` kill in a burst' (v.), or the ` sound effect for sudden destruction ”

    Verbatim: VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XI No 4

  • “Me thinks all that weightlessness he experienced long ago put a permanent 'zap' on his cortex ...”

    Bill Nelson Continues To Block NASA Administrator Nominees - NASA Watch

  • “We would just "zap" ourselves to and from so there would be no need for a plane ride!”

    Birthday Post: Mummsie

  • “An electronic device designed to "zap" away migraine pain before it starts may be the next form of relief for millions of people who suffer from the debilitating disease.”

    Science

  • “About 10 years ago, I had that "zap" treatment of my nasal turbinates to improve airflow through my nose.”

    I am so miserable.

  • “I recognized the need for a brain "zap" in regards to my art.”

    My inbox this morning

  • “There was a kind of zap! as the leaves were disturbed, and Stile felt the presence of magic.”

    Juxtaposition

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  • rolig This word brings back memories of ACT UP. Nov 24, 2011

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‘zap’ has been looked up 4791 times, loved by 3 people, added to 29 lists, commented on 1 time, and has a Scrabble score of 14.