n. An obstruction, or indigestible mass, found in the intestine of bears and other animals during hibernation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor); -- called also tapperer, tabberer, little wood pie, barred woodpecker, wood tapper, hickwall, and pump borer. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Tapster. ] A female tapster. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mach.) A lever or projection moved by some other piece, as a cam, or intended to tap or touch something else, with a view to produce change or regulate motion. G. Francis. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tappet motion, a valve motion worked by tappets from a reciprocating part, without an eccentric or cam, -- used in steam pumps, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Mech.) A rod carrying a tappet or tappets, as one for closing the valves in a Cornish pumping engine. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. One that taps, or cuts in on, telegraph wires and intercepts messages; hence (Slang), a swindler who pretends to tap wires or otherwise intercept advance telegraphic news for betting. -- Wire tapping. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]