tape
tape
UK[teɪp]US[teɪp]
n
a long, narrow strip of material, such as plastic, cloth, or paper, used for fastening, sticking, or recording
n
a thin strip of plastic with a magnetic coating used for recording sound, video, or computer data
v
to record sound or pictures using magnetic tape
v
to fasten, attach, or seal something with adhesive tape
Etymology
the word "tape" originates from the old english tæppe, referring to a narrow strip of cloth. this term is believed to be related to middle low german tapen, meaning to pull or pluck, suggesting an action associated with handling a strip of material. over time, its meaning expanded from simple cloth strips to include any long, narrow binding material. the modern technological senses, such as recording tape, are 20th-century semantic extensions based on the physical form of the medium—a long, thin strip.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. its origin is from old english tæppe, meaning a strip of cloth. it is related to middle low german tapen, meaning to pull, pluck.
Examples
she sealed the box with a piece of strong brown tape.
i found an old cassette tape with recordings from my childhood.
please remember to tape the interview for the documentary.