the sound of light blow or knock; " he heard the tapping of the man's cane"

1. Tapotement. 2. Thoracentesis, paracentesis, etc.

Incision of a dropsical part.

In surg. paracentesis, or the operation of removing fluid from any of the serous cavities of the body in which it has collected in large quantity.

The act of opening a cask of liquor; the surgical operation of removing fluid from the body, as in the disease of dropsy.

" A receipt which I've got here," answered the Princess, tapping her hand- bag. – The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation by J. S. Fletcher

So they took cover in the ditches and opened fire, especially upon the German officer who was busily tapping our telegraph wire. – Sketches of the East Africa Campaign by Robert Valentine Dolbey

Still for another hour of silent, breathless suspense they waited; and then they heard a faint tapping on the door that was guarded by Munson. – Cruel As The Grave by Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth

The widow, who was reading in the dining- room, heard the tapping at the glass. – Bob the Castaway by Frank V. Webster

James, tapping his finger- tips together lightly: " Not often, not often." – Whistler Stories by Don C. Seitz

I left him smoking hard, with his heavy, dark brows knotted together, and his long, nervous fingers tapping upon the arms of his chair, as he turned over in his mind every possible solution of the mystery. – The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax by Arthur Conan Doyle

He was conscious of the loud ticking of the clock, of the regular tapping of Richard's fingers upon the marble mantel- piece, of the fading light on the poplar leaves beyond the window, and presently of the rapid roll of a carriage that went by in the street. – The Ancient Law by Ellen Glasgow

You are a very wise man," she added, tapping Chumbley on the shoulder with her fan. – One Maid's Mischief by George Manville Fenn

It was not so very long, this time, however, before there came a faint tapping at the window. – Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by H. Irving Hancock

He next came up to her and said a few words, once more tapping the table as he spoke. – The Crystal Stopper by Maurice LeBlanc

" I know well enough," said Hubert, with his foot tapping sharply. – By What Authority? by Robert Hugh Benson

I asked him if he would write, and he answered by tapping that he would try. – The Shadow World by Hamlin Garland

They went into the living- room and Gloria sat in a big chair while he stood before her, his fingers tapping and tapping at his cigarette- case. – The Everlasting Whisper by Jackson Gregory

Through the noise she still heard her heels tapping. – The Song of Songs by Hermann Sudermann

The tapping was the only sign of her inner agitation. – The Trumpeter Swan by Temple Bailey

Leopold sat tapping his foot upon the carpet. – The Mad King by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edward Watkins first played on the violin, giving some familiar airs with such spirit that toes went tapping as he drew his bow back and forth. – Ethel Morton's Holidays by Mabell S. C. Smith

" Your case," said Captain Mowbray, tapping his boot with his cane in a careless manner, " is one which requires a very great amount of careful consideration." – The Living Link by James De Mille

The tapping was repeated. – The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer

Sometimes she got up and walked about; sometimes sat down, her elbows on her knees, her forehead in her hands, one foot tapping, tapping, tapping. – The Awakening of Helena Richie by Margaret Deland