I. ˈtrip verb
( tripped ; trip·ping )
Etymology: Middle English trippen, from Anglo-French treper, triper, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English treppan to tread — more at trap
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to dance, skip, or caper with light quick steps
b. : to walk with light quick steps
2. : to catch the foot against something so as to stumble
3. : to make a mistake or false step (as in morality or accuracy)
4. : to stumble in articulation when speaking
5. : to make a journey
6.
a. : to actuate a mechanism
b. : to become operative
7.
a. : to get high on a psychedelic drug (as LSD) : turn on — often used with out
b. slang : freak 3b
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to stumble — often used with up
b. : to cause to fail : obstruct — often used with up
2. : to detect in a misstep, fault, or blunder ; also : expose — usually used with up
3. archaic : to perform (as a dance) lightly or nimbly
4. : to raise (an anchor) from the bottom so as to hang free
5.
a. : to pull (a yard) into a perpendicular position for lowering
b. : to hoist (a topmast) far enough to enable the fid to be withdrawn preparatory to housing or lowering
6. : to release or operate (a mechanism) especially by releasing a catch or detent
trip the fire alarm
•
- trip the light fantastic
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a stroke or catch by which a wrestler is made to lose footing
2.
a. : voyage , journey
b. : a single round or tour on a business errand
3. : error , misstep
4. : a quick light step
5. : a faltering step caused by stumbling
6.
a. : the action of tripping mechanically
b. : a device for tripping a mechanism (as a catch or detent)
7.
a. : an intense visionary experience undergone by a person who has taken a psychedelic drug (as LSD)
b. : an exciting or unusual experience
the party was a trip
8. : absorption in or obsession with an interest, attitude, or state of mind
a guilt trip
on a nostalgia trip
9. : scene , lifestyle