strap
/strap
/noun
1A strip of leather, cloth, or other flexible material, used to fasten, secure, or carry something or to hold on to something: her bra strap the strap of his shoulder bag...
- Over his battle tunic went the clean white leather belts and honest straps.
- Combined with a fetching ensemble of white leather belts and straps, the effect is arresting.
- It had school satchel style leather straps and buckles instead of Velcro or twist fasteners.
Synonyms
thong, tie, cord, band, belt, tape;
leash, lead
1.1A strip of metal, often hinged, used to fasten or secure something.The hinges are flat straps across the front, which bend over the pintles and form a short neat strap on the back, ending in split curls....
- The hinge straps are designed like little twigs.
- The application is decorative, not structural, as evidenced by the metal straps suspending the logs.
1.2 (the strap) Punishment by beating with a strip of leather: when Fred was naughty he’d give him the strap...
- Constantly, she reminded herself that it was normal - everyone else got the strap and it was only a matter of time until she did.
- Most kids were never given the strap because they knew better.
verb (straps, strapping, strapped)
1 [with object and adverbial of place] Fasten or secure in a specified place or position with a strap: I had to strap the bag to my bicycle the children were strapped into their car seats...
- The upper level contained gear, strapped, buckled and secured for the flight, every inch of space utilized for the transport.
- If you fancy carrying Labradors and green wellies in the back of this car, make sure they are securely strapped in.
- The guns and knives were securely strapped to the many compartments of the bag assuring his own safety.
Synonyms
fasten, secure, tie, bind, make fast, lash;
buckle;
truss, pinion
1.1 [with object] British Bind (an injured part of the body) with adhesive plaster: the goalkeeper’s knee was strapped up...
- On the bench, Claudio Reyna's left leg is all strapped up.
- His hand was strapped up and he played on, such is the mentality in rugby league, and it was only afterwards that an X-ray revealed he had broken the bone.
- After liposuction, the treated area will be firmly strapped with bandages or elasticated tape.
Synonyms
bandage, bind
2 [with object] Beat (someone) with a strip of leather: I expected when my dad walked in that he’d strap him...
- A man who sued the Catholic Church after being strapped by a schoolteacher 17 years ago was awarded more than £1 million damages yesterday.
- The teachers were always yelling and threatening everyone and strapping us with a leather belt.
Synonyms
beat, flog, whip, leather, belt, thrash, lash, horsewhip, birch, cane, strike, hit, clout
informal wallop, whack, tan someone's hide, give someone a (good) hiding, beat the living daylights out of, lather, larrup
North American informal whale
archaic stripe, thong
Origin
Late 16th century (denoting a trap for birds, also a piece of timber fastening two objects together): dialect form of strop1.