[wipe] vb wiped ; wip.ing [ME wipen, fr. OE wipian; akin to OHG wifan to wind around, L vibrare to brandish, and prob. to ON veipa to be in movement, Skt vepate it trembles] vt (bef. 12c) 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
2. a: to remove by or as if by rubbing b: to expunge completely "~ from memory the gruesome scenes --Amer. Guide Series: Del."
3: to spread by or as if by wiping ~ vi: 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
[2]wipe n (1550) 1 a: blow, strike b: jeer, gibe
2. a: an act or instance of wiping b: a transition from one scene or picture to another (as in movies or television) made by a line moving across the screen
3: something (as a towel) used for wiping