I. ˈklip transitive verb
( clipped ; clip·ping )
Etymology: Middle English clippen, from Old English clyppan; akin to Old High German klāftra fathom, Lithuanian globti to embrace
Date: before 12th century
1. : encompass
2.
a. : to hold in a tight grip : clutch
b. : to clasp, fasten, or secure with a clip
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : any of various devices that grip, clasp, or hook
2. : a device to hold cartridges for charging the magazines of some rifles ; also : a magazine from which ammunition is fed into the chamber of a firearm
3. : a piece of jewelry held in position by a clip
III. verb
( clipped ; clip·ping )
Etymology: Middle English clippen, from Old Norse klippa
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cut or cut off with or as if with shears
clip a dog's hair
clip an hour off traveling time
b. : to cut off the distal or outer part of
c.
(1) : excise III
(2) : to cut items out of (as a newspaper)
2.
a. : curtail , diminish
b. : to abbreviate in speech or writing
3. : hit , punch ; especially : to strike in passing
the car skidded off the road and clipped a lamppost
4. : to illegally block (an opposing player) in football
5. : to take money from unfairly or dishonestly especially by overcharging
the nightclub clipped the tourist for $200
intransitive verb
1. : to clip something
2. : to travel or pass rapidly
3. : to clip an opposing player in football
IV. noun
Date: 15th century
1.
a. plural , Scottish : shears
b. : a 2-bladed instrument for cutting especially the nails
2. : something that is clipped: as
a. : the product of a single shearing (as of sheep)
b. : a crop of wool of a sheep, a flock, or a region
c. : a section of filmed, videotaped, or recorded material
d. : a clipping especially from a newspaper
3. : an act of clipping
4. : a sharp blow
5. : rate 4a
continues at a brisk clip
6. : a single instance or occasion : time
he charged $10 a clip
— often used in the phrase at a clip
trained 1000 workers at a clip