[chop] vb chopped ; chop.ping [ME chappen, choppen--more at chap] vt (14c) 1 a: to cut into or sever usu. by repeated blows of a sharp instrument b: to cut into pieces--often used with up c: to weed and thin out (young cotton) d: to cut as if by chopping "~ prices" "a bridge ~s the lake in two"
2: to strike (as a ball) with a short quick downward stroke
3: to subject to the action of a chopper "~ a beam of light" ~ vi 1: to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (as an ax)
2. archaic: to move or act suddenly or violently
[2]chop n (14c) 1 a: a forceful usu. slanting blow with or as if with an ax or cleaver b: a sharp downward blow or stroke
2: a small cut of meat often including part of a rib--see lamb illustration
3: a mark made by or as if by chopping
4: material that has been chopped up
5. a: a short abrupt motion (as of a wave) b: a stretch of choppy sea
6: chopper
6.
7. chiefly Brit: ax 3 [3]chop vi chopped ; chop.ping [ME chappen, choppen to barter, fr. OE ceapian] (1540) 1: to change direction
2: to veer with or as if with wind -- chop logic : to argue with sophistical reasoning and minute distinctions [4]chop n [Hindi chap stamp] (1614) 1 a: a seal or official stamp or its impre ssion b: a license validated by a seal
2. a: a mark on goods or coins to indicate nature or quality b: a kind, brand, or lot of goods bearing the same chop c: quality, grade "of the first ~"