~ 1
■ 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 ~.
3》 a metal holder containing cartridges for an automatic firearm.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ping , ~ped ) fasten or be fastened with a ~ or ~s.
Origin
OE clyppan (v.), of W. Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ verb ( ~s , ~ping , ~ped )
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 ~ping.
↘the quantity of wool ~ped 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 ~.
Phrases
at a ~ US informal at a time; all at once.
~ the wings of trim the feathers of (a bird) to disable it from flight.
↘hamper the aspirations of.
Derivatives
~ping noun
Origin
ME: from ON klippa , prob. imitative.