tapping

Tapping is the act of striking or tapping a surface with a finger, tool, or instrument, often to produce a sound, signal, or indication. The term also refers to several specialized techniques and processes across different fields, typically involving access, extraction, or modification of a system.

In music and sound, tapping can describe a percussive technique where a surface or instrument is tapped to create rhythm. On stringed instruments, finger tapping is a technique in which notes are produced by tapping the fretboard rather than plucking or bowing the strings.

In machining and metalworking, tapping is the process of cutting internal threads inside a drilled hole using a tool called a tap. The hole is prepared with a particular drill size to accommodate the thread, and the tap is turned to form the threaded profile for fasteners.

In forestry and agriculture, tapping refers to the extraction of sap from trees by drilling holes and inserting a spout or tapping system. This is most commonly associated with maple syrup production, where collected sap is processed into syrup.

In telecommunications and law enforcement, tapping or wiretapping denotes the interception or monitoring of communications, such as telephone calls, often under legal authorization.

In electrical engineering, tapping can also describe selecting a voltage point on a transformer or coil, providing different voltage levels from a single device for use in various circuits.

Across its senses, tapping typically implies either initiating access to a resource, creating a connection, or producing a signal, depending on the context.