clip

clip¹

noun

1》 a flexible or spring-loaded device for holding an object or objects together or in place.

2》 a piece of jewellery fastened by a clip.

3》 a metal holder containing cartridges for an automatic firearm.

verb (clips, clipping, clipped) fasten or be fastened with a clip or clips.

Origin

OE clyppan (v.), of W. Gmc origin.

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clip²

verb (clips, clipping, clipped)

1》 cut short or cut out with shears or scissors.

    ↘trim the hair or wool of (an animal).

2》 strike smartly or with a glancing blow.

3》 informal, chiefly N. Amer. swindle or rob.

4》 informal, chiefly US move quickly.

5》 Electronics truncate the amplitude of (a signal) above or below predetermined levels.

noun

1》 an act of clipping.

    ↘the quantity of wool clipped from a sheep or flock.

2》 a short sequence taken from a film or broadcast.

3》 informal a smart or glancing blow.

4》 informal a rapid speed or rate: I trotted on at a fair clip.

Phrases

at a clip US informal at a time; all at once.

clip the wings of trim the feathers of (a bird) to disable it from flight.

↘hamper the aspirations of.

Derivatives

clipping noun

Origin

ME: from ON klippa, prob. imitative.