n. & v.
n. 1 an extremity or end, esp. of a small or tapering thing (tips of the fingers). 2 a small piece or part attached to the end of a thing, e.g. a ferrule on a stick. 3 a leaf-bud of tea.
v.tr. (tipped, tipping) 1 provide with a tip. 2 tr. (foll. by in) attach (a loose sheet) to a page at the inside edge. on the tip of one's tongue about to be said, esp. after difficulty in recalling to mind. the tip of the iceberg a small evident part of something much larger or more significant. tipless adj. tippy adj. (in sense 3).
[ ME f. ON typpi (n.), typpa (v.), typptr tipped f. Gmc (rel. to TOP(1)): prob. reinforced by MDu. & MLG tip ]