What is "sapped"

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.

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

2. (Mil.) To pierce with saps.

3. To make unstable or infirm; to unsettle; to weaken.

   Ring out the grief that saps the mind.
   --Tennyson.

vb. (en-pastsap)

1. n. 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]

4. [also: sapping, sapped]

1. v. deplete; "exhaust one's savings"; "We quickly played out our strength" [syn: run down, exhaust, play out, tire]

2. excavate the earth beneath

3. [also: sapping, sapped]

See sap