tape

views updated May 23 2018

tape / tāp/ • n. a narrow strip of material, typically used to hold or fasten something: a roll of tape | a dirty apron fastened with thin tapes. ∎  long narrow flexible material with magnetic properties, used for recording sound, pictures, or computer data. ∎  a cassette or reel containing such material. ∎  a recording on such a cassette or reel. ∎  (also adhesive tape) a strip of paper or plastic coated with adhesive, used to stick things together. ∎  a strip of material stretched across the finish line of a race, to be broken by the winner. ∎  a strip of white material at the top of a tennis net. ∎  a strip of material used to mark off an area. ∎  a tape measure.• v. [tr.] 1. record (sound or pictures) on audio or videotape: it is not known who taped the conversation.2. fasten or attach (something) with adhesive tape.3. (tape something off) seal or mark off an area or thing with tape.PHRASES: on tape recorded on magnetic tape.

Tape

views updated May 23 2018

Tape ★★★ 2001 (R)

Director Linklater makes digital technology an asset in thisintriguing, claustrophobic character studybased on a play by Stephen Belber. Johnny (Leonard) pays a visit to high schoolchum Vince (Hawke), who's working as a low-level drug dealer. Their casual conver-sation becomes increasingly hostile as Vince begins making accusations involving Johnny and his first love, Amy (Thurman), who soon pays a visit herself. Despite a tiny cast and only one location, story stays stimulating throughout, as thescript deftly shifts viewer allegiance between characters and explores interestingthemes of memory, subjectivity and ownership of one's past. Linklater's use ofhigh-definition video gives the film a vitality and spontaneous feel that suits the material. 86m/C VHS, DVD . US Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Uma Thurman; D: Richard Linklater; W: Stephen Belber; C: Maryse Alberti.

tape

views updated May 21 2018

tape Either magnetic tape or optical tape; paper tape is now obsolete.

tapé

views updated May 23 2018

tapé Indonesian; sweet‐sour alcoholic paste made from fermented cassava, millet or maize, using a ragi starter. Either sun‐dried and used in soups and stews, or deep fried as a snack.

tape

views updated May 18 2018

tape OE. tæppa or tæppe, repr. obscurely by ME. tāpe; of unkn. orig.