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sapping

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
sapping

	Sap \Sap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sapped; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Sapping.] [F. saper (cf. Sp. zapar, It. zapare), fr. sape a
   sort of scythe, LL. sappa a sort of mattock.]
   1. To subvert by digging or wearing away; to mine; to
      undermine; to destroy the foundation of.
      [1913 Webster]

            Nor safe their dwellings were, for sapped by floods,
            Their houses fell upon their household gods.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mil.) To pierce with saps.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To make unstable or infirm; to unsettle; to weaken.
      [1913 Webster]

            Ring out the grief that saps the mind. --Tennyson.
      [1913 Webster]

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
sapping

	sap
     n 1: a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that
          circulates through the vascular system of a plant
     2: a person who lacks good judgment [syn: fool, saphead, muggins,
         tomfool]
     3: a piece of metal covered by leather with a flexible handle;
        used for hitting people [syn: blackjack, cosh]
     v 1: deplete; "exhaust one's savings"; "We quickly played out our
          strength" [syn: run down, exhaust, play out, tire]
     2: excavate the earth beneath
     [also: sapping, sapped]