n. [ See Tapish. ] A lurking or skulking. [ Obs. ] Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Braz. tapioka: cf. Pg., Sp. & F. tapioca. ] A coarsely granular substance obtained by heating, and thus partly changing, the moistened starch obtained from the roots of the cassava. It is much used in puddings and as a thickening for soups. See Cassava. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Braz. tapy'ra: cf. F. tapir. ] (Zool.) Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates belonging to Tapirus, Elasmognathus, and allied genera. They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore feet, but the outermost toe is of little use. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The best-known species are the Indian tapir (Tapirus Indicus), native of the East Indies and Malacca, which is black with a broad band of white around the middle, and the common American tapir (Tapirus Americanus), which, when adult, is dull brown. Several others species inhabit the Andes and Central America. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tapir tiger (Zool.), the wallah. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Tapir + -oid. ] (Zool.) Allied to the tapir, or the Tapir family. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. See Tapestry. ] Tapestry; formerly, the cover of a council table. [ 1913 Webster ]

On the tapis, or
Upon the tapis, on the table, or under consideration; as, to lay a motion in Parliament on the tapis. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cover or work with figures like tapestry. [ R. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. tapissier. ] A maker of tapestry; an upholsterer. [ R. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ F. se tapir to squat. ] To lie close to the ground, so as to be concealed; to squat; to crouch; hence, to hide one's self. [ Written also tappis, tappish, tappice. ] [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

As a hound that, having roused a hart,
Although he tappish ne'er so soft. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]