n.
Pronunciation: ' w ī p
Function: verb
Inflected Form: wiped ; wip · ing
Etymology: Middle English wipen, from Old English w ī pian; akin to Old High German w ī fan to wind around, Latin vibrare to brandish, and probably to Old Norse veipa to be in movement, Sanskrit vepate it trembles
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to rub with or as if with something soft for cleaning b : to clean or dry by rubbing c : to draw, pass, or move for or as if for rubbing or cleaning < wiped his hand across his brow>
2 a : to remove by or as if by rubbing < wipe the spots off the glass> b : to expunge completely < wipe from memory the gruesome scenes ― American Guide Series: Del. >
3 : to spread by or as if by wiping
intransitive verb : to make a motion of or as if of wiping something
– wipe one's boots on : to treat with indignity
– wipe the floor with or wipe the ground with : to defeat decisively