taps
A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and…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; the signal is sometimes also given during the funeral of a soldier.
Meaning
1 senses(plural, plural only)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; the signal is sometimes also given during the funeral of a soldier.
- (military) signal to turn the lights out
Origin
From tap (noun) + -s. Noun 1 sense 1 (“signal for extinguishing all lights in soldiers’ quFrom tap (noun) + -s. Noun 1 sense 1 (“signal for extinguishing all lights in soldiers’ quarters and retiring to bed”) is from the fact that the signal was originally made using a drum.
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Forms
plural: tapsesSynonyms
1 synonyms- (military) signal to turn the lights out:lights-out