I. ˈnēp adjective
Etymology: Middle English neep, from Old English nēp being at the stage of neap tide
: of, relating to, or constituting a neap tide
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: neap (I)
of a tide : to tend toward the neap stage
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from English dialect nape, neap piece of wood used to hold up the front or the tongue of a wagon, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect neip forked stick, hayfork, Icelandic neip space between two fingers, Old Norse hnippa to prod — more at nip
New England : the tongue of a cart