Etymology From Middle English repen, from Old English rēopan, rēpan, variants of Old English rīpan (“to reap”), from Proto-West Germanic *rīpan, from Proto-Germanic *rīpaną (compare West Frisian repe, Norwegian ripa (“to score, scratch”)), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reyb- (“to snatch”).
1
To cut (for example a grain) with a sickle, scythe, or reaping machine.
2
To gather (e.g. a harvest) by cutting.
And when ye reape the haruest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reape the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy haruest.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Leviticus 19:9:
3
To obtain or receive as a reward, in a good or a bad sense.
to reap a benefit from exertions
Be not deceiued, God is not mocked: for whatsoeuer a man soweth, that shall he also reape.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Galatians 6:7:
3 more examples
Why do I humble thus my ſelf, and ſuing / For peace, reap nothing but repulſe and hate?1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 60:
And what delights can equal those That stir the spirit’s inner deeps, When one that loves but knows not, reaps A truth from one that loves and knows?1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XLI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 64:
England manager Roy Hodgson got plenty right with a positive selection and the decision to play Rooney in midfield reaped a rich reward - but his boldest move may also have been his biggest mistake.2016 June 11, Phil McNulty, “England 1-1 Russia”, in BBC Sport:
4
Computer, Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Science, Sciences To terminate a child process that has previously exited, thereby removing it from the process table.
Until a child process is reaped, it may be listed in the process table as a zombie or defunct process.
Came there a certaine Lord, neat and trimly drest; Fresh as a Bride-groome, and his Chin new reapt,c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
Etymology From Middle English repen, from Old English rēopan, rēpan, variants of Old English rīpan (“to reap”), from Proto-West Germanic *rīpan, from Proto-Germanic *rīpaną (compare West Frisian repe, Norwegian ripa (“to score, scratch”)), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reyb- (“to snatch”).
1
A bundle of grain; a handful of grain laid down by the reaper as it is cut.