(1) To withdraw fluid from a cavity by means of a trocar and cannula, hollow needle, or catheter. (2) To strike lightly with the finger or a hammerlike instrument in percussion or to elicit a tendon reflex. (3) A light blow. (4) An East Indian fever of undetermined nature. (5) An instrument to cut threads in a hole in bone before inserting a screw. [M.E. tappe, fr. A.S. taeppa]
