Wordnet 3.0
ADJECTIVE (2)
1.
(of liquids) available by turning a tap;
- Example: "ale on tap"- Example: "hot and cold running water on tap"2.
available for immediate use;
- Example: "extra personnel on tap"- Example: "other sports and entertainment facilities are on tap"- Example: "there are numerous projects on tap"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tap \Tap\, n. [AS. t[ae]ppa, akin to D. tap, G. zapfen, OHG.
zapfo, Dan. tap, Sw. tapp, Icel. tappi. Cf. Tampion,
Tip.]
1. A hole or pipe through which liquor is drawn.
[1913 Webster]
2. A plug or spile for stopping a hole pierced in a cask, or
the like; a faucet.
[1913 Webster]
3. Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or
quality of liquor; as, a liquor of the same tap. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
4. A place where liquor is drawn for drinking; a taproom; a
bar. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
5. (Mech.) A tool for forming an internal screw, as in a nut,
consisting of a hardened steel male screw grooved
longitudinally so as to have cutting edges.
[1913 Webster]
On tap.
(a) Ready to be drawn; as, ale on tap.
(b) Broached, or furnished with a tap; as, a barrel on
tap.
Plug tap (Mech.), a screw-cutting tap with a slightly
tapering end.
Tap bolt, a bolt with a head on one end and a thread on the
other end, to be screwed into some fixed part, instead of
passing through the part and receiving a nut. See Illust.
under Bolt.
Tap cinder (Metal.), the slag of a puddling furnace.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
on tap
adj 1: (of liquids) available by turning a tap; "ale on tap";
"hot and cold running water on tap"
2: available for immediate use; "extra personnel on tap"; "other
sports and entertainment facilities are on tap"; "there are
numerous projects on tap"