A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rap, n.1 Also: rape. [ME (1340–70) and e.m.E. rap(pe. Appar. of echoic origin: cf. Clap n.1, Flap n., etc.] A blow, also, in Doug., the noise made by a blow. b. A sharp knock (at a door).(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 8934.
Richt with the helme sa rude ane rap He gaue him on the face ane flap c1420 Wynt. iv 724.
Thare men mycht here bot dusche for dusch, Rappys royd wytht mony a rusch Ib. viii 2526 (C).
Rape 1535 Stewart 2423.
That raschit on with mony rudlie rap Ib. 4780.
At that counter wes mony crwell knap With rewden rude sae mony rais and rap Ib. 56764. 15.. Christis Kirk 113 (B).
The reird rais rudly with the rappis Quhen rungis wes layd on riggis 1638 Henderson Serm. 341.
Then it is time for him [the Lord] to arise and lend his foes a rap(2) 1513 Doug. ix xi 10.
In bos helmys and scheldis the weirly schote Maid rap for rap [L. dant sonitum flictu galeae] Ib. xii ix 81. 15.. Clar. ii 1142.
Them betwine thair was ay rap for rapb. a1500 K. Hart 579.
Reassoun and wit richt at the ȝet thay rang With rappis lowd 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 187.
His first knock or rap at the door 1692 Pitcairne Assembly v iii (1817) 97.
That looks like a malignant rap [on the door]
