Strap

[A-S. stropp, D. strop, Dan. stroppe, Sw. stropp, Ger. strippe, strüppe, struppe, strupp, stropp, Lat. stroppus, stroppus, Gr. στροφος, from στρέφειν, to twist. Cf. STROP.] 1. A long, narrow slip of cloth, leather, or other material, of various forms and for various uses; as, the strap of a shoe or boot; straps for fastening trunks or other baggage, for stretching limbs in surgery, and the like. 2. A piece of leather, or strip of wood covered with a suitable material, prepared for sharpening a razor; a strop. 3. (Bot.) (a.) The flat part of the corolla in ligulate florets, as those of the white outside circle in the daisy. (b.) The leaf, exclusive of its sheath, in some grasses. 4. (Carp.) An iron plate for connecting two or more timbers, to which it is screwed by bolts. 5. (Mach.) A band or strip of metal, usually curved, to clasp and hold other parts; as, beam-strap, spring-strap, &c.; especially, the U-shaped part of a strap-head which clasps and holds the brasses. [See Illust. of Spring.] 6. (Naut.) A piece of rope formed into a circle, used to retain a block in its position. Totten.