What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Tap or Tab - What's the difference?

tap | tab |

In computing terms the difference between tab and tap

is that tab is a space character (tab) that extends to the next aligned column, traditionally used for tabulation while tap is the act of touching a touch screen.

As nouns the difference between tab and tap

is that tab is a small flap or strip of material attached to something, for holding, manipulation, identification, etc while tap is a tapering cylindrical pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask; a spigot.

As verbs the difference between tab and tap

is that tab is mark with a tab while tap is to furnish with taps.

As an initialism TAP is

initialism of lang=en.

tap

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) , from the noun.

Noun

(en noun)
  • A tapering cylindrical pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask; a spigot.
  • A device used to dispense liquids.
    • We don't have bottled water; you'll have to get it from the tap .
  • Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor.
    • a liquor of the same tap
  • A place where liquor is drawn for drinking; a taproom; a bar.
  • (mechanics) A device used to cut an internal screw thread. (External screw threads are cut with a die.)
    • We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve's thread.
  • A connection made to an electrical or fluid conductor without breaking it.
    • The system was barely keeping pressure due to all of the ill-advised taps along its length.
  • An interception of communication by authority.
    • Derived terms
    * taproom * taproot * tap water
    Synonyms
    * (device to dispense liquid) faucet, handle, spigot, spout

    Verb

    (tapp)
  • To furnish with taps.
  • To draw off liquid from a vessel.
    • He tapped a new barrel of beer.
  • To place a listening or recording device on a telephone or wired connection.
    • They can't tap the phone without a warrant.
  • To intercept a communication without authority.
    • He was known to tap cable television
  • (mechanical) To cut an internal screw thread.
    • Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.
    Derived terms
    * on tap * on the tap * tap into * tapped out
    Synonyms
    * (intercept communications) eavesdrop

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) tappen, teppen, from (etyl) tapper, .

    Verb

    (tapp)
  • To strike lightly.
  • To touch one's finger, foot, or other body parts on a surface (usually) repeatedly.
    • He was so nervous he began to tap his fingers on the table.
    She tapped her companion on the back to indicate that she was ready to go.
    Lydia tapped Jim on the shoulder to get his attention.
  • To make a sharp noise.
    • The tree, swaying in the breeze, began to tap on the window pane.
  • To designate for some duty or for membership, as in 'a tap on the shoulder'.
  • (slang) To have sexual intercourse with.
    • I would tap that hot girl over there.
    I'd tap that.
  • (combat sports) To submit to an opponent by tapping one's hand repeatedly.
  • (combat sports) To force (an opponent) to submit.
  • * 2000' October 14, "K®Æz¥ k ° †€°" (username), " Kimo ' Tapped Sakuraba", in alt.ufc, Usenet:
    • Hard to believe , but 4 years can make a difference.
  • * 2003' April 2, "Eddie" (username), " I ' Tapped Somebody!", in rec.martial-arts, Usenet:
    • Just started bjj [= couple of months ago and i finally tapped' someone!!! WOOOHOO! The guy i ' tapped has been traiing a few more months than me, outweighs me by at least 30 pounds, and is in great shape from the army.
  • * 2004 April 7, "Araxen" (username), " Re: UFC vs. Boxing", in rec.sport.boxing, Usenet:
    • weighs and he still tapped Butterbean.
  • To put a new sole or heel on.
    • to tap shoes
    Synonyms
    * (sense) hit, patter, pound, rap, strike * (to make a sharp noise) bang, ping, rap * (to submit to an opponent) tap out * (to force an opponent to submit) tap out

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A gentle or slight blow; a light rap; a pat.
    • (Addison)
    When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.
  • (computing) The act of touching a touch screen.
  • A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing or renewing the sole or heel; a heeltap.
  • (military) A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed; usually given about a quarter of an hour after tattoo.
    • (Wilhelm)

    Anagrams

    * * * * ----

    tab

    English

    Etymology 1

    First attested 1607, of uncertain origin.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small flap or strip of material attached to something, for holding, manipulation, identification, etc.
  • * 1993 , Irvine Welsh: Trainspotting , p 333:
    • He pulls off his belt, cursing as the studs catch in the tabs of his jeans.
  • (by extension, graphical user interface) A navigational widget for switching between sets of controls or documents.
  • (label) A tablet, especially one containing illicit drugs.
  • A fast march or run with full kit.

    • Verb

  • Mark with a tab.
  • (computing) To use the Tab key on a computer or typewriter to navigate the screen or page.
  • * 2010 , Chris Anderson, Pro Business Applications with Silverlight 4 (page 210)
    • You can prevent a control from getting the focus when the user is tabbing between controls by settings its IsTabStop property to False.
  • Short for tabulate.
    • Derived terms
    * keep tabs on * tabbed

    Etymology 2

    Apocopation (shortening) of tabulation.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) A restaurant bill.
  • (slang) Credit account, e.g., in a shop or bar.
    • Put this round on my tab , will you, barman.
  • Short for tabulator.
  • (computing) A space character ((tab)) that extends to the next aligned column, traditionally used for tabulation.
    • Derived terms
    * pick up the tab

    Etymology 3

    Likely to have been formed by clipping the Geordie pronunciation of the word or alternatively from the brand name Ogden's Tabs .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Geordie and Mackem) cigarette.
    • Giv'is a tab man!

    References

    *

    Etymology 4

    Shortening of tablature.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A form of musical notation indicating fingering rather than the pitch of notes, commonly used for stringed instruments.

    • Etymology 5

    Derived from the Latin Cantabrigia (often shortened to Cantab.).

    Noun

  • (rfv-sense)(slang) A student of Cambridge University.

    • Etymology 6

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (label) A tabloid newspaper.
  • * 1999 , George H. Douglas, The Golden Age of the Newspaper, p. 229:
  • * 2010 , Robert Lusetich, Unplayable: An Inside Account of Tiger's Most Tumultuous Season:

    • Anagrams

    * * * * English clippings ----